FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons have sent Ray-Ray McCloud III home, with coach Raheem Morris describing the decision as a private matter between the wide receiver and the team.
McCloud is the Falcons’ third-leading receiver since last season.
“I sent him home,” Morris said Friday. “Excused absence – at home. I am currently working on some things that are private with my young man, and we will work those things out as we go.”
Contacted by ESPN on Friday, a representative for McCloud declined to comment on the matter.
McCloud was an unexpected scratch Monday night in the Falcons’ win over the Buffalo Bills and will be out again Sunday when they travel to face the San Francisco 49ers. McCloud was at practice Wednesday, but did not practice Thursday or Friday for non-injury-related reasons, according to the team.
The Falcons fired wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard after a 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. McCloud and Hilliard are close, and Hilliard being in Atlanta was a big reason why McCloud signed with the Falcons during the 2024 offseason.
After the firing, McCloud said Hilliard was the best coach he ever had and that it reminded him that “this league has no loyalties.”
However, Morris said Hilliard’s firing had nothing to do with the current situation with McCloud.
“It’s between Ray-Ray, the organization and us and handling these things,” Morris said, adding that he was also close to Hilliard. “Nothing to do with it.”
Morris said he would not send McCloud home as a disciplinary measure.
“It’s more about football and what we need to fix,” Morris said.
