Atlanta Falcons Week 13 Injury Report
The Atlanta Falcons received great news today as running back Devonta Freeman cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice.
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice. In practice, Freeman was without his no-contact uniform and also participated in blocking drills. All signs point to him making his return to the field on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.
Atlanta running back Tevin Coleman was inserted into Freeman’s starting role over the past three games and he helped lead the Falcons to three straight wins. Now, with Freeman’s return, Atlanta’s backfield duo will look to provide a significant challenge for opposing defenses.
According to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, Freeman said that he will not change the way he plays despite suffering three concussions dating back to the 2015 season.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Devonta Freeman will be back with no limitations during today's practice. He's hopeful that Freeman can handle an entire load, but Freeman doesn't necessarily have to with Tevin Coleman also at running back. https://t.co/rES2uy2aMK
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) November 29, 2017
Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones was limited in practice due to his ankle injury but that won’t affect his status on Sunday against Minnesota. Jones has been dealing with this ankle injury for the majority of the season but it has not hindered his production. He had a game for the ages against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last. Jones poured in 12 receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
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Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant left the game against the Bucs in the second quarter, after colliding with teammate safety Keanu Neal. Trufant was placed into the concussion protocol. If Trufant is ruled out for Week 13, Falcons defensive back Brian Poole will start in his place. Poole suffered a back injury in Atlanta’s win against the Bucs, but is not expected to miss the Vikings game.
Per McClure, Falcons safety Ricardo Allen said that he is willing to play any position in Atlanta’s secondary due to the circumstances and injuries plaguing the defense.
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Atlanta’s offense has surged back into their 2016 form as they are currently sixth offensively in the NFL. But the Falcons defense will ultimately be the x-factor to secure an upset over the 9-2 Vikings. The Falcons were without Trufant at this point in the season in 2016 and managed to get to the Super Bowl, so it will be interesting to see how 2017’s secondary steps up in Trufant’s absence.