The Atlanta Falcons will be placing running back Devonta Freeman on injured reserve due to his groin injury, Coach Dan Quinn said on Tuesday. Devonta suffered from a foot injury in the game against Pittsburgh after which the Falcons thought that it was just a general soreness that Devonta suffered in his groin region. However, as the week went ahead, the soreness increased and so the team decided to have the two-time Pro Bowl running back undergo certain tests. It has been determined that Devonta will be requiring a procedure which will result in the team placing him in the injured reserve.
“We are hopeful he will be able to return this season, but we will have a better feel for that in the coming weeks,” said Quinn. A source informed ESPN that Devonta is slated to undergo the procedure on Thursday in Philadelphia.
Devonta has played in only two out of first 6 games although his performance was slowed due to foot, knee as well as groin injuries. He suffered from an injury on his right knee in a season-opening loss at Philadelphia and had to miss 3 games. Later on, in the Week 5, when the team lost at Pittsburgh, Devonta suffered from groin and foot injuries.
With Devonta out now, the Falcons will be getting back to Tevin Coleman in the starter position along with rookie Ito Smith as their backup. Coleman has made an average of 3.7 rushing yards in each game while Smith set a franchise rookie record in this last weekend by scoring a touchdown in his 3rd consecutive game.
26-year-old Freeman rushed for 865 yards as well as 7 touchdowns on 196 carries in the year 2017. He had accomplished back-to-back 1,000-rushing-yard seasons in the year 2015 as well as 2016. In the year 2017, Freeman’s production was limited due to a major right knee injury.
