Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman was carted off the field in the first half of Sunday's game with a rib injury, and didn't return. Second-year back Devonta Freeman took over the lead role in the Atlanta offense as the team beat the New York Giants, 24-20.
Tevin Coleman leaves with a rib injury, scaring Falcons, fantasy owners
The Atlanta rookie injured his ribs. we break down the fantasy implications.
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Coleman ran the ball nine times before leaving, going for 32 yards and a touchdown. Freeman had 12 carries in the game for 25 yards and a touchdown of his own, adding four receptions for 34 more yards. The initial thought was that the rookie Coleman might have been able to return in the second half, but it didn’t happen.
Fantasy impact: We’ll likely learn more about Coleman’s immediate future sometime Monday or Tuesday, but until then he should be considered questionable at best going forward; rib injuries can hinder a running back. It’s a frustrating loss for fantasy owners -- Coleman has looked strong in his game-plus before the injury, and was slated to be Atlanta’s starting running back going forward.
For however long Coleman is shelved, if at all, the role of starting running back will be Freeman’s, who had the gig periodically in 2014 and never managed to do a lot with it. Coleman seems a better bet for good fantasy production when healthy.
