Falcons receiver Ridley suspended for betting on games
ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been suspended for the 2022 season for betting on NFL games in 2021.
The suspension announced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday is for activity that took place while Ridley was away from the team addressing mental health concerns. The league says the suspension will carry “through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season.”
The NFL says the betting took place during a five-day period in late November 2021. Ridley was placed on the non-football illness list following Week 8 last season, which ended Nov. 1.
During the offseason, the Falcons have had no update on Ridley’s status. The team released a statement Monday in which it said it cooperated with the league’s investigation in the last month.
“We were first made aware of the league’s investigation on Feb. 9,” the Falcons said in the statement. “We have cooperated fully with the investigation since receiving notice, and support the league’s findings and actions. We are moving forward in the 2022 season with the decision that was made. With the decision that was made by the NFL, any further questions on the investigation should be directed to the league office.”
Cowboys restructure Prescott’s contract
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has had time away and processed a very difficult ending to the 2021 season. Now he has started the process of turning the page for 2022.
One aspect of Prescott’s commitment to helping the Cowboys move on towards 2022 is a bit of accounting that will occur in the coming days when part of his $20 million base salary for next season is converted into a signing bonus to give the team cap relief. The Cowboys are about $21 million over next season’s cap and restructuring Prescott’s contract would clear $15.1 million in cap room.
Odds and ends
The Browns have placed a franchise tag for next season on tight end David Njoku, preventing him from hitting the free agent market. … The Chiefs have put the franchise tag on left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. … Longtime Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle is retiring, the team announced Monday. … Panthers owner David Tepper has paused construction on the team’s $800 million practice facility in Rock Hill, S.C., citing concerns over a lack of funding from the city needed to complete the project’s infrastructure. … The Colts established the Tony Dungy Diversity Fellowship to advance the opportunities for football coaching candidates. … The Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are moving from prime time to Saturday afternoon in August.