Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman isn’t expected to play in the team’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens so that he can rest ahead of the regular season, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter. Freeman had 95 total touches for 473 yards and a pair of touchdowns last year.
Devonta Freeman expected to sit out preseason finale, should be primed and ready for regular-season fantasy action
Devonta Freeman is due for plenty of rest ahead of Week 1. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Fantasy Impact: Freeman’s absence from the game against the Ravens means rookie Tevin Coleman will start in the final exhibition contest. Right now the Falcons’ running game is averaging just 1.9 yards per carry as a team, so nobody has really been that impressive. That said, center Joe Hawley says the team’s blocking schemes are really coming together well. Most believe that both Freeman and Coleman possess definite potential, but with Freeman sitting out against Baltimore, it appears he may have the inside track on touches heading into Week 1.
Fantasy owners are going to want to keep tabs on both running backs throughout the start of the season. Sure the last time the Falcons had a decent running game, the starter was Michael Turner. But even in today’s pass-heavy NFL, a good team still has to be able to rush the ball, and both of the Falcons’ options have potential worth taking a chance on.
