Tevin Coleman to miss a few weeks with broken rib

Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs by New York Giants outside linebacker Mark Herzlich (94) and New York Giants middle linebacker Uani
Sep 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) runs by New York Giants outside linebacker Mark Herzlich (94) and New York Giants middle linebacker Uani

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman will miss at least a few weeks after breaking a rib in Week 2 versus the New York Giants.

It seems that the Atlanta Falcons’ rushing attack cannot catch a break. After missing half of the preseason with hamstring issues, former All-American tailback out of Indiana University rookie Tevin Coleman will miss some time with a fractured rib.

Coleman looked great in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, rushing for 80 yards on 20 carries in his NFL regular season debut. However, he had to exit yesterday’s game due to discomfort in his ribs. This came after 9 carries for 32 yards and his first career rushing touchdown in the Falcons’ 24-20 over the New York Giants.

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According to Schefter, this doesn’t seem like a lingering injury, more of a pain threshold for Tevin Coleman to overcome. Fortunately for Atlanta, they do have two other young tailbacks at their disposal in second-year player Devonta Freeman and UDFA Terron Ward, formerly of Oregon State on their 53-man roster.

Freeman will likely get most of Coleman’s carries, but expect him to factor more in the check-down receiving game, as Freeman has explosiveness quickness in receiving out of the backfield. Ward should earn some carries after being the most dependable back on the Falcons’ roster this preseason.

Atlanta should survive in the running game, as the offensive line is growing into new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme, known for turning anybody into a 1,000 yard rusher. Expect Freeman to become a hot commodity in fantasy as the featured back in Coleman’s absence. Atlanta (2-0) will face fellow undefeated Dallas in AT&T Stadium next Sunday. The winner of that game looks like they’ll be in great shape in the up-in-the-air NFC.

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