Falcons send Ray-Ray McCloud III home in bizarre development

In a surprising turn of events, Ray-Ray McCloud III has been sent home by the Falcons.

The wide receiver will not play in this weekend’s contest against the 49ers due to what’s being called a “private matter.”

Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed that he did not foresee a timeline for the return of McCloud, who hasn’t played since Sept. 28.

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McCloud does not have an injury designation.

“I sent him home,” Morris told reporters 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.”

McCloud, 29, was a surprise healthy scratch in the Falcons’ game on Monday against the Bills, despite practicing all week.

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This comes weeks after the Falcons let go of wide receivers coach — and former Giants pass-catcher — Ike Hilliard following the team’s 30-0 loss to the Panthers in Week 3.

Morris insisted that the two events are unrelated.

“This is between Ray-Ray, the organization and us and dealing with those things,” Morris said. “Nothing to do with that.”

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Morris added: “It is just more a football thing and what we got to get straightened out.”

Of the decision to sit McCloud on Monday, Morris had said after beating the Bills that it was purely a “coaching decision.”

“Coaching decision on Ray-Ray tonight, just like everybody else, anybody that you put down that’s not active,” he said. “Decided to put him down tonight. He’ll be back out competing next week. We’ll see where we go. We had everybody we needed. We got everybody we wanted tonight, and we got out there and got a big win.”

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McCloud, in four games this season, has posted six catches for 64 yards.

That’s a far cry from his 2024 campaign, when he recorded career highs with 62 catches and 686 yards with one touchdown.