Quinn stays patient with recovering Freeman, Jones
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Dan Quinn said there’s no need to rush Devonta Freeman and Julio Jones back to play in an exhibition game.
The Atlanta Falcons coach is confident both players will be ready when the team opens the regular season Sept. 10 against the Bears in Chicago.
Jones, a two-time All-Pro wide receiver, is finally practicing at 100 percent after undergoing right foot surgery in March. After having his repetitions limited in training camp, Jones is getting all of the plays with the first-team offense.
Freeman, a two-time Pro Bowl running back, is in the NFL concussion protocol and might not be in uniform until the opener. He took a hard hit in the first preseason game two weeks ago, though the team didn’t know the extent of Freeman’s injury until he left practice early a few days later.
“He’s back to full-speed running,” Quinn said Wednesday. “Soon he’ll be participating full speed in practice, but you won’t see him suited up this weekend.”
When the Falcons (0-2) host the Arizona Cardinals (1-2) on Saturday in the first game at Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, there’s a chance Jones will play, though Quinn and his star receiver will wait a couple more days to decide.
“I’m a professional,” Jones said. “I’ll be ready to go. Being out here practicing against these guys every day is like preseason to me. I don’t take any plays off. No lollygagging around. It’s full speed.”
Quinn will use the next two preseason games to determine who will fill out the depth chart. He’s concerned with finding dependable reserves at running
back, on the offensive line and in the secondary. Freeman’s injury leaves no set backup behind Tevin Campbell at running back. The Falcons are still deciding on a third offensive tackle and
a third guard who can also play center behind Pro Bowl selection Alex Mack. The secondary needs a third safety to back up Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen after Kemal Ishmael moved to linebacker.
A trio of rookies drafted in the fourth and fifth rounds — running back Brian Hill, guard Sean Harlow and safety Damontae Hazee — have looked good, but they aren’t guaranteed a roster spot yet.
“It’s kind of a contingency of where young players are at,” Quinn said. “Are they ready for it, because sometimes you may have a player who’s developing, and how fast will it be to get him ready? He may make some mistakes early, but he’s ready to go physically.”
Rookie linebacker Duke Riley, a third-round pick, is projected to start at weak-side linebacker, but probably not until the season gets underway.
“His football instincts are good, but we’re still not settled on a role,” Quinn said. “That’s important for a first-year player, not training him with too many jobs. He’ll certainly have a big role on this team, and we’re getting closer to know what that will look like.”
Quinn also wants to see the turnover margin improve Saturday. The Falcons ranked fourth in the NFL last year at plus-11.
“Through two preseason games, we’re sitting right square at zero,” he said, “and that’s not going to get it done.”