Falcons' Calvin Ridley won't travel to London for game vs. Jets due to personal matter

Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Calvin Ridley won't travel to London for Sunday's game against the New York Jets because of a personal matter, the team announced Thursday.

"Due to a personal matter, Calvin Ridley will not travel to the Falcons game in London this weekend," the team said in a statement. "We are in support of Calvin during this time and will respect his privacy on the matter."

Ridley is one of three Falcons players not making the trip to England this weekend. The team also said wideout Russell Gage and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson were out due to their respective ankle injuries.

The 26-year-old Ridley has recorded 27 catches for 255 yards and one touchdown this season. He notched seven receptions for 80 yards in the Falcons' loss to the Washington Football Team last week.

Despite Ridley's season-high in receiving yards, the All-Pro receiver had two drops in the 34-30 loss to Washington. It marked only the second time in his NFL career that he's dropped two passes in a game.

"Up and down. We expect more and Calvin knows that," Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Monday of Ridley's performance against Washington. "I'm not telling anything that I don't tell the players. He's one of our top guys. He's one of our captains.

"Nobody's got higher expectations than he does for himself than we do, so that's why I call his number. I believe in Calvin but like all of us, we can all play better."

Without Ridley and Gage in the lineup, the Falcons' top receivers against the Jets on Sunday likely will be Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe. Gage is still working his way back from an ankle injury that he sustained in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Falcons also have wideouts Christian Blake and Frank Darby on their roster. Juwan Green, who was temporarily elevated from the practice squad in Week 3 against the New York Giants, could be elevated again this week.