The Atlanta Falcons have sent wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III home due to what head coach Raheem Morris described as a private matter involving the player and the organization. This decision comes as McCloud has served as the Falcons’ No. 3 wide receiver since last season.
“I sent him home,” Morris stated on Friday. “Excused absence — home. Working through some things right now that are private with my young man, and we’ll figure those things out as we go.” When contacted by ESPN, a representative for McCloud declined to provide additional comments regarding the situation.
McCloud was notably absent from the Falcons’ roster during their recent victory over the Buffalo Bills on October 15, 2024, and will also miss the upcoming game against the San Francisco 49ers. He participated in practice on Wednesday but did not engage in activities on Thursday or Friday, with the team indicating this absence was unrelated to any injury.
Coaching Changes and Personal Connections
The Falcons recently made headlines by firing wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard following a 30-0 defeat to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. McCloud, who had a close relationship with Hilliard, cited the coach as a significant factor in his decision to join the Falcons during the 2024 offseason. After Hilliard’s dismissal, McCloud expressed that he considered Hilliard to be the best coach he has ever had and remarked on the lack of loyalty within the league.
Despite these changes, Morris emphasized that Hilliard’s firing is unrelated to McCloud’s current situation. “This is between Ray-Ray, the organization and us and dealing with those things,” he said, acknowledging his own rapport with Hilliard. “Nothing to do with that.”
Morris clarified that sending McCloud home should not be perceived as a disciplinary action. “It is just more a football thing and what we got to get straightened out,” he added.
As the Falcons prepare for their upcoming match against the 49ers, the absence of McCloud raises questions about the team’s depth at the wide receiver position. The situation also highlights the complexities of personal relationships within professional sports, particularly in the face of organizational changes. With the team striving for success, the resolution of McCloud’s private matters will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
