One of the NFL’s few remaining running back battles was decided Tuesday, and a rookie has earned a spot in the Atlanta Falcons starting lineup.
Tevin Coleman has been named the starter over second-year runner Devonta Freeman. Granted, according to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, Freeman said he expected the decision because of his hamstring injury.
“When you don’t get reps in the game the whole preseason—and I’ve been missing practice and stuff like that—he’s supposed to be in there. It’s just one day at a time. … I’m still getting healthy and stuff. I’ve just got to wait and see how I feel on Monday.”
Freeman and Coleman both missed practice time due to hamstring injuries, but the difference was that Freeman never returned to action. Coleman appeared in two games, tallying eight carries for 56 yards in his second outing.
Additionally, Atlanta recently waived big-play threat Antone Smith, so Coleman will receive plenty of carries in Kyle Shanahan’s zone-run scheme.
Now, the Falcons will be more versatile if Freeman is available in more than a limited capacity. Per McClure, Freeman said he will play Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, though it’s not clear how often Freeman will enter the contest.
Regardless of what ultimately happens, Atlanta’s offense—highlighted by quarterback Matt Ryan and star receiver Julio Jones—will have capable hands in the backfield.
As a junior at Indiana last season, Coleman shredded defenses for 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding 25 receptions for 141 yards. Now, football fans will see if he can translate that production to the pros.