Falcons’ running back Freeman goes on IR with groin injury
FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. >> 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 Freeman’s groin injury was more serious than initially thought, forcing him to undergo a surgical procedure.
In another injury related move, the Falcons signed kicker Giorgio Tavecchio. He will fill in at least one game for Matt Bryant, who strained his right hamstring making a 57-yard field goal in the 34-29 victory over the Buccaneers.
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.
Neal, Allen and Levitre are all out for the season. The Falcons hope Jones, sidelined by a foot problem since Week 1, will be able to return after missing the required eight games.
Freeman has been slowed by a variety of injuries the last two seasons. This year, he missed three games with a bruised knee sustained in a season-opening loss at the Eagles. When he returned for a game at Pittsburgh, he went down with a foot injury and also was bothered by groin soreness that caused him to miss last Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay .
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-to-last game of the regular season.
Giants owner embarrassed
NEW YORK >> The co-owner of the New York Giants is embarrassed by the team’s second straight 1-5 start and he wants star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to make his highlights on the field instead of getting recognition from off-the-field comments.
Speaking before the fall meeting of the NFL owners Tuesday, John Mara was clearly miffed by the disappointments of a season he had hoped would make fans forget the 3-13 campaign a year ago that led to the firings of coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese.
“I’m sick about it, particularly the way we’ve disappointed our fans,” Mara said.
Beckham had been on his best behavior this season, but the losing seemed to catch up to him in recent weeks.
“I think he needs to do a little more playing and a little less talking,” Mara said.
Source: Bills QB Allen has sprained elbow
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. >> Buffalo rookie starter Josh Allen has been diagnosed with a sprained right elbow on his throwing arm and is not expected to play at Indianapolis this weekend, a person with direct knowledge told The Associated Press Tuesday.
The person described Allen’s status as being week to week as opposed to being out indefinitely.
Coach Sean McDermott would only list Allen as week to week on Monday, and wouldn’t rule him out from playing this weekend. The Bills (2-4) were off on Tuesday.