WR McCloud leaves Falcons for 'private' matter

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons person sent Ray-Ray McCloud III home, with manager Raheem Morris describing the determination arsenic a backstage substance betwixt the wide receiver and the team.

McCloud has been the Falcons' No. 3 wide receiver since past season.

"I sent him home," Morris said Friday. "Excused lack -- home. Working done immoderate things close present that are backstage with my young man, and we'll fig those things retired arsenic we go."

When reached Friday by ESPN, a McCloud typical declined remark connected the matter.

McCloud was an unexpected steadfast scratch Monday nighttime for the Falcons' triumph implicit the Buffalo Bills and volition beryllium retired again Sunday erstwhile they question to look the San Francisco 49ers. McCloud was astatine signifier Wednesday but did not signifier Thursday oregon Friday for what the squad said was non-injury-related reasons.

The Falcons fired wide receivers manager Ike Hilliard pursuing a 30-0 nonaccomplishment to the Carolina Panthers successful Week 3. McCloud and Hilliard are close, and Hilliard being successful Atlanta was a important crushed wherefore McCloud signed with the Falcons successful the 2024 offseason.

After the firing, McCloud said Hilliard was the champion manager helium has ever had and that it reminded him that "this league has nary loyalty."

However, Morris said Hilliard's dismissal was unrelated to the existent concern with McCloud.

"This is betwixt Ray-Ray, the enactment and america and dealing with those things," Morris said, adding that helium excessively is adjacent with Hilliard. "Nothing to bash with that."

Morris said helium would not represent sending McCloud location arsenic disciplinary.

"It is conscionable much a shot happening and what we got to get straightened out," Morris said.