Irate Ridley held without catch: ‘Got to get ball’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley didn’t hold back when asked about his lack of production in the team’s 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, in which he was targeted eight times but didn’t come up with any catches.

“I need some in the beginning of the f—ing game too,” Ridley said. “This s— is getting crazy. I sucked today and got to do better. But I got to get the ball a little earlier so I can be in the game and here with the team and play well also.”

Titans coach Brian Callahan said multiple times leading up to the game that he wanted to make sure he got the ball to Ridley, but the former Jaguar was only targeted twice in the first half.

“I’m sure he’ll be the first one to tell you it was disappointing,” Callahan said. “He’s one of our best players and we look to him to try and make a play or two and we didn’t get it done at the end of the game.”

The last time Ridley didn’t register a catch came in Week 4 with the Falcons in 2020 when he was targeted five times. Per ESPN Research, this is the first eight target, zero catch occurrence for a wide receiver since 2015 when Amari Cooper (Raiders) had the same stat line against the Denver Broncos.

Ridley was brought in from Jacksonville to be the Titans’ No. 1 receiver, but only has two receptions for 14 yards over the past two games. Through five games, Ridley has caught nine passes on 27 targets for 141 yards and one touchdown.