Wide receiver Calvin Ridley wasted no time and applied for reinstatement from the suspension he’s currently serving on the first day he was eligible to do so. Several Jacksonville Jaguars players caught wind of the news and took to social media to share their excitement.
Return specialist Jamal Agnew reminded everyone on February 10 that Ridley was five days away from being eligible to file for reinstatement. He then retweeted a post by Adam Schefter reporting that Ridley was in fact applying for reinstatement.
On the same day Ridley applied for reinstatement, he posted on Twitter that “the Ridley family is overly ready”. Wide receiver Christian Kirk saw the message and said that it’s “go time”.
Go time 😤 https://t.co/CmX1gIGtjt
— Christian Kirk (@ckirk) February 15, 2023
Similarly, tight end Engram marveled at how good the Jags’ offense could potentially be once Ridley joins them.
— Evan Engram (@eazyengram) February 15, 2023
The excitement wasn’t limited to Jaguars players though. Chad Johnson, who recently inquired about joining their coaching staff, said that he was excited to see Ridley back on the field and happy he was going to pick off where he left off.
Excited to see my guy Calvin Ridley back on the field, so happy for my young boul to pick up where he left off 🙏🏾
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) February 15, 2023
The Jacksonville Jaguars expect Calvin Ridley to be reinstated
A second-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2018, Ridley was steadily becoming one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, catching 217 passes for 3,061 yards with 26 touchdowns in his first three seasons. However, he abruptly retired in the middle of the 2021 season. He then cited his mental health as the main reason for stepping away but was slapped with an indefinite suspension when he was caught gambling on NFL games during his retirement.
Ridley has stated on several occasions that he’s in great shape and excited to join the Jaguars. As John Shipley of Sports Illustrated noted, a deliberation on the reinstatement shouldn’t take much time but won’t be immediate. Then again, this shouldn’t be a reason for concern, as Organize Team Activities are still a few months away.
If/when Ridley is reinstated, he’ll join a wide receiver corps that includes Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. If can play the way he did before his suspension, the Jaguars could potentially have one of the best receiving units in the league.