Jaguars Get Big Update on Calvin Ridley Situation

It's been over a year since Calvin Ridley last played in an NFL game, but the star wide receiver may be nearing a return.

Wednesday was the first day that Ridley was eligible to apply for reinstatement to the NFL from his suspension. According to insider Ian Rapoport, the 28-year-old did indeed apply.

Calvin Ridley Update

Ridley, who was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars last November, was suspended indefinitely last March for betting on games during the 2021 season while he was with the Atlanta Falcons. Ridley played only five games for Atlanta in 2021 before stepping away from the team due to mental health reasons.

Before his suspension, Ridley was starting to emerge as one of the best receivers in the NFL. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020 after finishing the season with 1,374 receiving yards on 90 catches -- both career highs.

For his part, Ridley appears excited by the prospect of a return to the NFL after more than a year away from the game.

Time will tell if the NFL decides to reinstate Ridley, who would rejoin an up-and-coming Jaguars team that is coming off an AFC South title in 2022. Adding a weapon of Ridley's caliber to Trevor Lawrence's arsenal would make Jacksonville's passing attack even more explosive after ranking 10th in both passing yards and points per game last year, so Jaguars fans are likely salivating at the thought of his potential comeback.