Falcons put Freeman on injured reserve
Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is going on injured reserve, another major setback for a team that already has lost several key players.
Coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that Freeman’s groin injury was more serious than initially thought, forcing him to undergo a surgical procedure.
One of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, Freeman is the fifth Atlanta player to go on injured reserve this season. He follows safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen, linebacker Deion Jones and offensive guard Andy Levitre.
Freeman will have to sit out at least eight games while on IR, which means he wouldn’t be eligible to return for the Falcons (2-4) until the next-tolast game of the regular season.
In another injuryrelated move, the Falcons signed kicker Giorgio Tavecchio. He will fill in at least one game for Matt Bryant, who suffered a strained right hamstring while making a 57-yard field goal in the 34-29 victory over Tampa Bay. linebacker and receiver, the Cleveland Browns promoted linebacker Xavier Woodson-Luster and undrafted rookie receiver Da’Mari Scott from the practice squad to the active roster.
The defense took a major blow in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday when Pro Bowl middle linebacker Joe Schobert suffered a hamstring injury. He will be out for multiple games.
Christian Kirksey is expected to slide from weak-side linebacker to the middle, and rookie fifth-round draft pick Genard Avery will move into Kirksey’s spot opposite strongside linebacker Jamie Collins.
In other moves, the Browns placed journeyman receiver Rod Streater on injured reserve with a fractured neck suffered against the Chargers, and waived injured linebacker James Burgess, who injured a hamstring on Sunday.
Von Miller, who once said his job was to sack quarterbacks and tell jokes, isn’t in a jocular mood with the Denver Broncos mired in a fourgame losing streak.
With a game against the Arizona Cardinals on tap for Thursday night, Miller said, “I wouldn’t say it’s a must-win. We’re going to kick their (butts), though. Make sure you put that up there. We’re going to kick their (butts).”
On Sunday, Denver became the first team in NFL history to allow back-to-back 200yard rushers, when the Rams’ Todd Gurley went for 208 a week after Isaiah Crowell of the Jets gained 219, including a 77-yard touchdown. That led general manager John Elway to declare this week that the Broncos have gotten “very soft” in defending the run.
“The last two weeks we had a 200-yard rusher. I get where he’s coming from,” Miller said. “But that was the last two weeks. This week is totally different.”
Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen has been diagnosed with a sprained right elbow on his throwing arm and is not expected to play at Indianapolis on Sunday, a source told The Associated Press, describing Allen’s status as being week to week. Buffalo now must choose between turnover-prone Nathan Peterman and newly signed veteran Derek Anderson to start against the Colts.