CHRISTIAN BLAKE NEWS

Joining up with Pittsburgh Blake signed a contract with the Steelers on Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The 26-year-old will head to Pittsburgh after the team also waived wide receiver Javon McKinley (undisclosed) with an injury designation Thursday. Blake spent the first three seasons of his career in a backup and special-teams role with Atlanta, and he registered a career-low four receptions for 25 yards across 102 offensive snaps over 16 games last season. The 2018 undrafted free agent likely will compete with Anthony Miller, Cody White and Gunner Olszewski for a spot on the Steelers' final 53-man roster.

AUGUST 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Inks deal in Arizona Blake signed a contract with the Cardinals on Monday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Impact Blake will get a look with the Cardinals after spending the previous three seasons in Atlanta. The Northern Illinois product played in 16 games in each of the last two seasons but only amassed 17 receptions on 28 targets for 166 yards.

MAY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ridley suspension for '22 makes WR area of need for Falcons

The NFL's suspension of wide receiver Calvin Ridley for at least the 2022 season for betting on games last season makes the position an area of increased emphasis for the Atlanta F...

MARCH 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sees one target in loss Blake failed to haul in his only target during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.

Impact Blake finished the 2021 campaign with four receptions for 25 yards across 16 appearances. The 25-year-old wideout is set to become a free agent this offseason, but it's unclear what type of market he will draw.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Held without a catch in Week 17 Blake was unable to haul in his only target during Sunday's 29-15 loss to the Bills.

Impact With Calvin Ridley (personal) still away from the team and Tajae Sharpe (illness) sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols, Blake played 26 of Atlanta's 53 offensive snaps. However, the 25-year-old wideout was held catchless as Kyle Pitts and Russell Gage once again led the Falcons in targets and receiving yards. Blake's role will likely be diminished if Sharpe returns in Week 18, but even Sharpe misses a third straight game, Blake profiles as little more than a dart-throw lineup option in deeper leagues.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could get run as No. 3 wideout Blake could serve as the Falcons' No. 3 receiver behind Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus in Sunday's game against the Bills with Tajae Sharpe (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 li...

Impact While Sharpe was sidelined with a foot injury during the Week 16 win over the Lions, Blake ranked third among Atlanta wideouts in snaps (11, 24 percent), catching his lone target for a five-yard gain. Rather than regularly rolling out three-receiver sets, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith leaned more heavily on two tight-end arrangements featuring Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst, the latter of whom played 48 percent of the offensive snaps. With Hurst joining Sharpe among the growing list of Atlanta players on the COVID-19 list, Smith could be less inclined to use two tight-end sets Week 17, which could open up more reps for Blake. Even so, the 25-year-old profiles as little more than a dart-throw lineup option in deeper leagues.

JANUARY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Catches first pass since Week 5 Blake caught his only target for five yards during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Lions.

Impact With Calvin Ridley (personal) still away from the team and Tajae Sharpe (foot) sidelined, Blake played double-digit offensive snaps for just the fourth time this season. The 25-year-old caught his first pass since Week 5 and just his fourth of the season. Barring additional injuries to Atlanta's pass catchers, Blake isn't expected to crack fantasy relevancy against the Bills in Week 17.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons' thin offense has Patterson inactive vs. Patriots

Running back Cordarrelle Patterson is inactive for Atlanta against the New England Patriots, taking one of the Falcons’ most productive players away from an already depleted offens...

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Catches season-high two passes Blake caught two of his four targets for 12 yards during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Jets.

Impact With Calvin Ridley (personal) and Russell Gage (ankle) sidelined, Blake played a season-high 15 offensive snaps, and it resulted in his best offensive performance of the season. All wideouts' fantasy production remains limited in Atlanta's offense this year, as Matt Ryan continues to rely on his tight ends and running backs in the passing game.

OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could be No. 3 receiver Sunday Blake could see reps as the No. 3 receiver Sunday against the Jets in London behind projected starting wideouts Olamide Zaccheaus and Tajae Sharpe, Scott Bair of Atlanta's official...

Impact Blake has played more snaps on special teams (31) than on offense (18) through the Falcons' first four games, but he'll likely be thrust into a larger role at receiver out of necessity with the top two options at the position -- Calvin Ridley (personal) and Russell Gage (ankle) -- both inactive. Zaccheaus and Sharpe are expected to serve as their primary replacements, but Blake looks like he may have the edge over sixth-round rookie Frank Darby and practice-squad call-up Juwan Green for the third spot at receiver. Even if that's the case, the Falcons may not rely heavily on three-wide sets, as the team has two quality tight ends on hand in Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst.

OCTOBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons top WR Ridley to miss Jets game for personal reasons

Atlanta Falcons leading receiver Calvin Ridley will not play in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in London for personal reasons

OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Plays five offensive snaps Week 1 Blake played five offensive snaps and didn't record a target during Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Impact Blake appeared in all 16 games for the Falcons last season and recorded 13 catches for 141 yards. Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage were the only Atlanta wideouts to see targets during Week 1 as the majority of Matt Ryan's throws were check downs to the running backs and tight ends.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

After Jones' trade, Ridley is Falcons' new go-to receiver

Calvin Ridley is the new veteran leader of the Atlanta Falcons' wide receivers

AUGUST 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Falcons re-sign kicker Younghoe Koo after Pro Bowl season

The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed placekicker Younghoe Koo and three other exclusive rights free agents

MARCH 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ends 2020 season with 13 catches Blake wasn't targeted across his 11 offensive snaps in Sunday's 44-27 loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Blake suited up for the Falcons' entire 16-game slate in 2020, but he handled only a bit role in the passing attack, finishing with 13 receptions (on 18 targets) for 141 yards and no touchdowns. The 24-year-old will be an exclusive rights free agent this upcoming offseason, but look for the Falcons to retain him and give him a chance to fight for a depth role at receiver during training camp.

JANUARY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 17-yard reception Blake caught his lone target for a 17-yard gain during Sunday's 43-6 win against the Raiders.

Impact With Olamide Zaccheaus going down in the first quarter of Sunday's contest due to a toe injury, Blake was elevated to the No. 3 position in Atlanta's receiving corps. That promotion, of course, was also prompted because of Julio Jones (hamstring) sitting out the game entirely. Matt Ryan only looked in Blake's direction on one occasion Sunday, but the 24-year-old now has an active streak of four consecutive outings with a catch. He fielded a season-high 50 offensive snaps against the Raiders, but he will only approach that level of involvement again Week 13 versus New Orleans if Jones and/or Zaccheaus are unavailable.

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hauls in two passes Blake secured two of his four targets for 28 receiving yards during Sunday's 24-9 loss to New Orleans.

Impact With Julio Jones off the field for much of the second and third quarters Sunday while tending to a hamstring issue, Blake posted his second consecutive outing of greater than 25 receiving yards. In eight appearances between Weeks 1 and 8, on 113 combined offensive snaps, Blake mustered just 8.3 receiving yards per contest. Next, Atlanta will host a Las Vegas defense that allowed three different Chiefs receivers to post six-plus catches on Sunday Night Football.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Matches season high in catches Blake secured all three of his targets for 31 receiving yards during Sunday's 34-27 win against the Broncos.

Impact Despite Calvin Ridley (foot) being ruled out for the cross-conference showdown, Blake fielded just 12 offensive snaps. His workload was far more extensive against Carolina last Thursday night, as he garnered 38 offensive touches in that contest, though his on-field impact was greater in Week 9. Blake matched his season best of three receptions in a game, while his yardage output against Denver was the 24-year-old's second highest of 2020. With an upcoming Week 10 bye, Ridley has a chance to recover from a mid-foot sprain. If improvement indeed transpires with Ridley's status, Blake will be relegated to the No. 5 slot in Atlanta's receiving corps for a Nov. 22 matchup against the Saints.

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Could get Week 9 start Blake could replace Calvin Ridley (foot) if the receiver -- who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos -- sits out, Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Const...

Impact With Ridley out for the second half of last week's game, Blake finished with season-high 54 percent snap share but logged only two catches for 14 yards. The Falcons seem to have direct backups for each of their top-three wideouts, with Blake filling in for Ridley, Olamide Zaccheaus replacing Julio Jones, and Brandon Powell behind Russell Gage. It's still possible a Ridley absence could free up more work for Zaccheaus and/or Powell, but Blake is the safe bet to get regular snaps, while Jones, Gage and tight end Hayden Hurst could help fill the target void.

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Two catches post-Ridley injury Blake reeled in both of his targets for 14 receiving yards during Thursday's 25-17 win against the Panthers.

Impact Calvin Ridley suffered a foot injury in the early going of the second quarter Thursday, opening the door for Blake to double his previous season high of 19 offensive snaps. Per Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Blake would be the most immediate replacement for Ridley if the third-year wideout were to miss any time. It seems Ridley may get right back for a Week 9 matchup against the Broncos, as he is considered day-to-day after receiving his MRI results Friday. A return for Ridley would likely mitigate any viable fantasy potential for Blake, though he would be a risky play regardless with only one performance of greater than 45 receiving yards this season.

OCTOBER 31, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons WR Ridley suffers left ankle injury against Panthers

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been ruled out of Thursday night’s game at Carolina because of a left ankle injury

OCTOBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Third-leading receiver in MNF loss Blake corralled three of his five targets for 47 receiving yards during Monday's 30-16 loss to Green Bay.

Impact With Julio Jones remaining out for the second half after battling through a hamstring issue the first two quarters, young wideouts Blake and Olamide Zaccheaus came to the forefront, combining for 11 catches and 133 receiving yards on 14 targets. Calvin Ridley will be Atlanta's No. 1 pass-catching option if Jones proves unable to go for a Week 5 matchup against the Panthers, but Blake may have a notable offensive role for himself in such a situation. He was targeted on more than 25 percent of his offensive snaps during Monday's loss to the Packers.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons missing 6 starters vs Bears, including Julio Jones

The winless Atlanta Falcons are missing six starters for their game against the Chicago Bears, including star receiver Julio Jones

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting for Julio Jones Blake is slated to serve as one of the Falcons' three starting receivers Sunday against the Bears with Julio Jones (hamstring) inactive for the contest, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com...

Impact Blake has played 16 total offensive snaps through the Falcons' first two games, drawing zero targets. He should see a big spike in playing time Week 3 with Jones in street clothes, but Blake probably shouldn't be counted on to see much volume headed his way. Instead, Matt Ryan will likely funnel most of Jones' vacated targets to wideouts Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Todd Gurley.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons make final cuts to set 53-man roster for opener

The Atlanta Falcons cut former first-round pick Laquon Treadwell and two quarterbacks as they got down to the 53-man roster limit for the regular season

SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS