John Ridgeway III Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Panthers vs Saints game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Oct 22, 2025
Back from IR
Ridgeway (shoulder) was activated from injured reserve Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houstonreports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway has been sidelined all season after suffering a pectoral injury in mid-August. He has been practicing in full for most of October and should be set for a Week 8 season debut against Tampa Bay.
Oct 18, 2025
Won't returnin Week 7
Ridgeway (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway has been practicing in full for the last two weeks, but he still hasn't been deemed ready to return and remains on injured reserve. He appears to have a good chance to return in Week 8 against the Buccaneers and should have a rotational role along the defensive line.
Oct 15, 2025
Logs another full practice
Ridgeway (shoulder) was a full participant at practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway practiced in full all week last week before ultimately sitting out in Week 6, so while his activity is a promising sign, it's still no guarantee he'll suit up in Week 7. Until the Saints officially remove him from their injured reserve list, veteran Nathan Shepherd should continue to see increased reps on the defensive line.
Oct 11, 2025
Won't play vs. New England
Ridgeway (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway drew the questionable tag for Sunday's contest after three consecutive full practices, but the fourth-year defensive tackle will need to wait until at least Week 7 against the Bears on Sunday, Oct. 19 to make his 2025 debut. The 2022 fifth-rounder opened the season on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury that he sustained during training camp in late July.
Oct 10, 2025
Could play Sunday
Ridgeway (shoulder) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.
ANALYSIS
The Arkansas product logged three consecutive full practice sessions this week but must still be activated to the Saints' active roster in order to play Sunday. Ridgeway logged 251 defensive snaps across 13 appearances in 2024, recording 15 total tackles and one pass defended. If he's activated in time to suit up for the Week 6 matchup, he's likely to play a reserve role on the Saints' defensive line.
Oct 8, 2025
Could be nearing return
Ridgeway (shoulder) practiced fully Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway has been on injured reserve since late August and is eligible to return as soon as he's healthy. A full practice is a step in the right direction, but he'll need to be activated from injured reserve before he can return to game action.
Oct 4, 2025
Downgraded to out for Week 5
The Saints downgraded Ridgeway (shoulder) to out for Sunday's game against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway remains on injured reserve, so his 2025 season debut will have to wait at least another week. His 21-day practice window was opened by New Orleans on Wednesday.
Oct 3, 2025
Questionable for Sunday vs. Giants
Ridgeway (shoulder) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway was a full participant at practice both Thursday and Friday, so he may be on the 'probable' end of the questionable designation. If he's able to suit up for the first time in 2025 in Week 5, he projects to fill into a rotational role on the defensive line.
Oct 2, 2025
Logs full practice Thursday
Ridgeway (pectoral) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway opened the season on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury he suffered during training camp in mid-August. His 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, and while he was able to practice in full Thursday, that doesn't guarantee that he'll be activated from IR ahead of the Saints' home clash against the Giants on Sunday.
Oct 1, 2025
Gets in limited practice
Ridgeway (pectoral) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway remains on injured reserve but was designated for return Wednesday, opening his 21-day practice window. He's missed the first four games of the season. Ridgeway appeared in 13 regular-season games last season, logging 15 tackles (eight solo) on just 264 defensive snaps.
Aug 26, 2025
Sent to injured reserve
The Saints placed Ridgeway (pectoral) on injured reserve Tuesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The move will be made official following the cutdown deadline later Tuesday afternoon, allowing Ridgeway the opportunity to return after missing the required four regular-season games. Ridgeway appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Saints last season, logging 15 tackles (eight solo) and one pass breakup.
Aug 19, 2025
Dealing with pectoral injury
Ridgeway is currently working through a pectoral injury, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway had just returned to practice a couple of weeks ago after having been dealing with an undisclosed injury earlier in the summer but is now sidelined once again. He recorded 15 tackles (eight solo) across 13 games with the Saints last season and is competing for a spot as a backup defensive tackle on the team's final roster.
Aug 3, 2025
Returns to practice
Ridgeway (undisclosed) returned to practice with the Saints on Saturday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway suffered an undisclosed injury at practice Wednesday, but he was able to return to the field just a few days later. The defensive lineman is looking to secure a spot on the Saints' 53-man roster ahead of the 2025 season and being healthy ahead of the team's preseason opener against the Rams on Aug. 10 is a positive turn of events for the 26-year-old.
Jul 31, 2025
Suffers injury
Ridgeway (undisclosed) was hurt at practice Wednesday, John Sigler of Saints Wire reports.
ANALYSIS
Heading into his second season in New Orleans, Ridgeway has suffered an early setback. This injury could hurt him as the 26-year-old is fighting for a backup defensive tackle role in what is a crowded front-seven room. Last season, he appeared in 13 games, tallying 15 tackles.
Nov 10, 2024
Back for Week 10
Ridgeway (oblique) is active for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway was sidelined for Week 9 against Carolina due to an oblique injury, but the 2022 fifth-round pick will suit up Sunday. Across six regular-season games, Ridgeway has logged eight tackles (four solo) while serving as the Saints' backup defensive tackle.
Nov 3, 2024
Inactive versus Panthers
Ridgeway (oblique) will not play in Sunday's matchup with the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway has not played more than 36 percent of the defensive snaps in any game this season, so his impact is not expected to have much of an impact defensively. His next opportunity to suit up will come in Week 10 versus the Falcons.
Aug 28, 2024
Traded to Saints
Ridgeway was traded from the Commanders to the Saints along with a 2025 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
The addition of Ridgeway gives New Orleans some insurance on the interior of the defensive line as starting defensive tackle Khalen Saunders recovers from a calf injury that could be impact his Week 1 availability. Ridgeway appeared in 32 games for Washington over the previous two seasons, notching 55 tackles (30 solo).
Jan 23, 2024
Finishes second year with 31 tackles
Ridgeway had 31 tackles (16 solo) and one pass defense in 17 games in 2023.
ANALYSIS
The 2022 fifth-round pick has started six of 32 games through two pro seasons, recording 55 tackles on 636 defensive snaps. Ridgeway is still searching for his first NFL sack and figures to have a rotational role again in 2024.
Jan 5, 2024
Will play vs. Cowboys
Ridgeway (foot) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game versus the Cowboys.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway was a full participant at practice Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday, putting himself on track to suit up in Week 18. With Jonathan Allen out, Ridgeway may actually start Sunday.
Jan 3, 2024
Still dealing with foot injury
Ridgeway (foot) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway was able to play through his foot issue in Sunday's loss versus the 49ers, so any limitations at this point may simply be maintenance-related. If he is able to practice in full Thursday or Friday, he'll likely avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
Dec 22, 2023
Ready to go for Week 16
Ridgeway (foot) will be active Sunday versus the Jets, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official website reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway has been dealing with a foot injury that he suffered last week, but he'll be able to play in Week 16 against New York. The defensive lineman recorded three tackles in the team's Week 15 loss to the Rams.
Dec 17, 2023
Sustains pregame injury
Ridgeway (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.
ANALYSIS
Fortier notes that Ridgeway suffered a foot injury during the pregame warmups. If he is ruled out, Phidarian Mathis will see more snaps at the backup defensive tackle spot behind Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen.
Dec 13, 2023
Cleared from injury
Ridgeway (shin) was a full participant during practice Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway left the team's loss to the Dolphins in Week 13 early but is good to go following the team's bye week. He should serve his usual depth role on the interior of the Commanders' defensive line against the Rams on Sunday.
Dec 3, 2023
Leaves with injury
Ridgeway has exited Sunday's game against the Dolphins with a shin injury, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway had one tackle before being forced out of the game and is questionable to return. In his absence, Phidarian Mathis will likely see reserve work at defensive tackle.
Jun 10, 2023
Participating in OTAs
Ridgeway has been doing individual drills during practice, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway played limited snaps for the Commanders last season but had an impressive Week 18 outing against the Cowboys before leaving with a torn pectoral muscle. The 2022 fifth-round pick out of Arkansas registered 24 tackles and a forced fumble in 15 games for Washington last season as he operated behind Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne at defensive tackle.
Jan 9, 2023
Nursing torn pectoral muscle
Ridgeway suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Sunday's win over the Cowboys, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
With fellow defensive linemen James Smith-Williams (concussion) and Jonathan Allen (knee) both unavailable for Washington's regular-season finale versus Dallas, Ridgeway was called upon to handle an increased workload this past weekend. The 23-year-old rookie registered a career-high five tackles on just 13 defensive snaps before departing with what has since been revealed as a torn pectoral muscle which will likely require months of rehabilitation. With the Commanders having missed the playoffs this season, Ridgeway will aim for a full recovery by the start of the 2023-24 campaign next fall.
Jan 8, 2023
Leaves with injury
Ridgeway has exited Sunday's game against the Cowboys with a shoulder injury.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway was playing with an increased role due to Jonathan Allen (knee) being out. However, he now finds himself on the sidelines as well. In his absence, Benning Potoa'e and David Bada should see increased opportunities.
Sep 19, 2022
Ends up in Washington
Ridgeway was claimed off waivers by the Commanders on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway was waived by the Cowboys on Saturday after he didn't see the field during the team's season opener against the Buccaneers. The 2022 fifth-round pick figures to help shore up Washington's depleted defensive tackle position after fellow rookie Phidarian Mathis (knee) underwent successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus last Friday.
Sep 17, 2022
Waived by Dallas
The Cowboys waived Ridgeway on Saturday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway was selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but the rookie didn't appear in the season opener and has been let go by Dallas. If he clears waivers, the 6-foot-5, 321-pound defensive tackle could rejoin the team via a practice-squad deal.
Apr 30, 2022
Picked up by Dallas
The Cowboys selected Ridgeway in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 178th overall.
ANALYSIS
Ridgeway is a massive presence on the defensive line at 6-foot-5, 321 pounds. He transferred to Arkansas in 2021 after playing at a high level at Illinois State and he made a smooth transition despite the bump up in competition. Dallas needs big bodies in the middle and Ridgeway fits the bill.
Download the app