Cleared for takeoff
Falcons running back Freeman may return to lineup
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has cleared the concussion protocol after missing two games and could return for Sunday’s home matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
On Wednesday, Atlanta coach Dan Quinn said Freeman has full clearance to practice “with no limitations.”
Freeman, the league’s highest-paid running back, has had two concussions this year and three in as many years. He said he discussed the concussions with a doctor and isn’t worried about his future.
“It’s not something I’m worried about for the rest of my life,” Freeman said. “If anything is going to happen, it’s going to happen. You can’t live and dwell on what happened in the past. You just move forward.”
Freeman’s most recent concussion came on the second play of a win against Dallas on Nov. 12. Tevin Coleman started in victories against Seattle and Tampa Bay, and he leads the team with 539 rushing yards on 122 carries. Freeman has 515 yards on 116 carries, giving each player a per-carry average of 5.5 yards, and each has rushed for five touchdowns.
Coleman has 18 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns and Freeman 19 catches for 137 yards.
Freeman also spent the final two weeks of this preseason in concussion protocol and missed one regular-season game in 2015 after incurring a concussion against the Colts that November. He said he accepts the risk of such injuries.
“I know what I signed up for,” Freeman said. “It’s a gladiator sport. You just have to be aware of everything that can happen, because it can happen at any time.”
Freeman added concussions are “part of football.”
“You’re going to get concussions,” he said. “Hey, if it happens again, it happens again. I’m a competitor. I’m a dog. I’m still going to try to be the same Free. I’m going to work the same way. Nothing is going to change.”
Freeman said through more education on concussions he is “doing it the smart way” and “protecting myself for longevity.”
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said it is “just another pain in our rear end” for his defense to prepare for both Freeman and Coleman.
“They’ve both got a little different styles, so part of it is knowing who is in the game,” Zimmer said. “Freeman is explosive; great stop-and-start guy. Runs physically with his pads. Looks like he’s got great vision. Coleman is a speed guy. I’ve been impressed with the way he’s run the ball between the tackles. And they both catch the ball well out of the backfield.”
Freeman said he expects to be rested after missing two games.
“Definitely. I feel anybody who gets that time off, especially in the middle of the season, you’re going to be fresher than the other guys,” he said. “It’s a blessing in disguise. I’m just going to take it and run with it.”
Quinn said “we totally trust” team doctors to monitor the concussion protocol and determine when a player is ready to return. He also said the team wants to protect Freeman’s longterm health.
“Yeah, from a medical side that was something we discussed from this year,” Quinn said. “… We’re going to always take great care of our guys. We care about them on the field, off the field.”