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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud has been sent home by the team and may not return amid a mysterious 'private matter', it has been revealed.
Head coach Raheem Morris revealed on Friday that the 29-year-old - who earns $2.5m a year - will be a healthy scratch for the second straight weekend, revealing more about the reasons for his absence.
'I sent him home,' he told reporters, adding that he doesn't know if McCloud will return to Atlanta.
'An excused absence. We are working through some things that are private with the young man, and we will get those things figured out.
'This is between Ray-Ray, the organization and us. I wouldn't say it is a disciplinary thing. More a football thing with something we have to get straightened out.'
On Thursday night, McCloud sparked confusion when he posted on his X account: 'GOD I LOVE YOU' with a prayer emoji.
Ray-Ray McCloud has been 'sent home' by the Falcons and may not return to the team
McCloud played the first four games of the season but has been a healthy scratch since
McCloud is in his second season with Atlanta and enjoyed the most productive year of his career in 2024, starting 13 games and featuring in all 17.
He finished the season with 62 receptions for 686 yards and a touchdown.
This season, he played in the first four weeks, catching six passes for a total of 64 yards.
McCloud started his NFL career back in 2018 when he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills out of Clemson, and he played 10 times in his rookie year.
He has since featured for the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers, before landing in Atlanta in March of last year.
He grew up Tampa, Florida, but it is unclear where McCloud currently is after being sent 'home' by the Falcons.
