The Atlanta Falcons played most of Sunday's game without running back Steven Jackson, who left the game in the first quarter after an eight-yard touchdown reception.
Falcons, fantasy owners lose Steven Jackson early Sunday
With the team’s primary rusher sidelined, the Falcons moved through the air Sunday, leaving Jacquizz Rodgers mostly in the cold. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Jackson left the field with a thigh injury. He was listed as questionable to return, but never saw the field again. Backups Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling got the rush attempts in Jackson's absence; Rodgers rushed 11 times for 17 yards, with Snelling adding two rushes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Fantasy impact: It’s hard to know what to say going forward about the Atlanta running game until more comes out about Jackson’s status, but Atlanta completely abandoned the run after his departure, even though the team was protecting a lead for the remainder of the game.
As a team, the Falcons ran only 13 times for 36 total yards without Jackson. Rodgers, the presumptive starter if Jackson misses extended time, averaged less than two yards per carry, though he did catch four passes for 28 yards. Rodgers is more of a pass-catching running back, so the team will have to alter its approach if it is without Jackson for next Sunday’s game against a Miami team that hasn’t allowed more than 65 yards to opposing running backs through two weeks.
