Wide receiver Calvin Ridley officially applied for reinstatement from his year-long suspension today on the first day that he became eligible.
On March 7, 2022, the NFL announced that Ridley would be suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2022 season for betting on games in the previous season, including on his own team.
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Ridley was forced to miss all of 2022 and had to forfeit his base salary of $11.1M for the season. The exact timeline for Ridley's reinstatement is unclear, but he is expected to be approved to return to the team and field this season.
If reinstated, Ridley will play the 2023 season on the fifth-year of his rookie contract, which will account for $11.1 million.
Despite serving his suspension, the Jacksonville Jaguars acquired the wide out right before last season's deadline. On November 1, 2022, the team traded a conditional 2023 sixth-round and a 2024 fourth-round pick with the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Ridley.
Calvin Ridley joins talented Jacksonville Jaguars offense
The addition of Calvin Ridley will certainly help the Jaguars out this season.
Ridley emerged as one of the best deep-threat receivers in the league with the Falcons. As a rookie, he notched 10 touchdowns and 821 receiving yards. The following season recorded 866 yards and seven touchdowns while missing three games due to injury.
The 28-year-old blew up in 2020 when he recorded a career-high 90 receptions and 1,374 yards, while scoring nine touchdowns. He was named a second-team All-Pro.
Calvin Ridley would record 31 receptions for 281 yards and two touchdowns in 2021, before stepping away from football due to mental health reasons for the rest of the season.
He will now join a loaded, young talented Jaguars offense led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
In the last off-season, the Jaguars were aggressive in free agency and surrounded Lawrence with talent. They added the likes of Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Evan Engram.
Although Engram is a free agent, the Jags will become more dangerous with Ridley joining the lineup. He may become the fastest player on the team and will be another deep-threat target for Lawrence to throw to.
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