Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III has finally opened up after his dismissal by the Falcons’ head coach, Raheem Morris. Notably, the Falcons sent Ray-Ray home yesterday, with coach Raheem Morris describing the decision as a private matter between the wide receiver and the franchise. While we still do not know the reason behind such a decision, the 29-year-old wide receiver has made his first statement after being dismissed from practice.

“I know my dawgs goin’ ball tomorrow!!” Ray-Ray, who has been with the Falcons since last season, wrote via X. “I wanted this one bad with yall boys. Love yall , go Ball out and Let’s go get this win 🙌🏾 ….. 5 & 1 handle that for me plz 🏆 (y’all know what im talking about)!”

McCloud has some hidden message for his mates as he’s not only wishing them luck and asking them to win, but alongside he’s adding, ‘y’all know what im talking about.’ Now, only time can reveal the meaning behind this.

The Falcons’ head coach, Raheem Morris, on Friday admitted he sent McCloud home, declaring it an “excused absence” and the situation “private.”

“I sent him home,” Morris said. “Excused absence — home. Working through some things right now that are private with my young man, and we’ll figure those things out as we go.”

Upon being called for comment, McCloud’s spokesman did not elaborate on the issue. According to sources, McCloud was healthy during Monday’s victory over the Bills and will sit out this Sunday against the 49ers. He was present on the practice field on Wednesday but did not report on Thursday and Friday for what the team described as non-injury-related matters.

This move has sparked plenty of speculation, coming just days after the Falcons fired Hilliard — with whom McCloud was known to share a close bond — following their 30-0 loss to the Panthers in Week 3. According to sources, Hilliard’s presence in Atlanta was a key reason McCloud chose to join the team last offseason. Now, with Hilliard gone, questions are mounting about what this means for McCloud’s future with the Falcons.

After Hilliard’s dismissal, McCloud expressed frustration on social media, calling him the best coach he ever had and taking a shot at the league, saying, “This league has no loyalty.” However, Morris made it clear that McCloud’s situation is unrelated to Hilliard’s firing.

“This is between Ray-Ray, the organization, and us, and dealing with those things,” he said. “Nothing to do with that.” The coach also emphasized that the move was not disciplinary. “It is just more a football thing and what we got to get straightened out.”

To date this year, McCloud has six receptions for 64 yards and is still an extremely valuable locker room player with no real production. His roster spot, however, is now under threat.

Morris’s Falcons to play 49ers without McCloud

Even without McCloud, the Falcons enter Week 7 with confidence. Atlanta’s 24-14 win over the Bills last week showcased their defense and balanced attack, spearheaded by Bijan Robinson’s 170 rushing yards, 68 receiving yards, and one touchdown.

The 49ers have lost key players to injuries, such as Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Fred Warner, which will affect them. Despite all that, head coach Kyle Shanahan is keeping the team in games. Without McCloud, Atlanta’s passing attack will rely primarily on Kyle Pitts and Drake London, with Bijan Robinson used as a go-to short-game target.

The. Falcons’ defense, on the other hand, will seek to match last week’s intensity, in which they hounded Josh Allen all game and forced key errors. The Falcons’ front seven will again be the key to establishing the tone.

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Though McCloud’s loss is not likely to be a major factor for the Falcons’ offense, his availability leaves everything up in the air. There is still no date of return, and Raheem Morris has not yet said when, or if, the wide receiver will be on the team again. As Atlanta readies to battle San Francisco under the sweltering lights of Sunday Night Football, everyone will be watching the Falcons’ reaction on and off the field.

Despite whatever internal strife there is, Raheem Morris’ unit seems committed to hanging together and showing they can do it without one of their most charismatic personalities.