Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) leads the league in rushing through Week 7. (John Bazemore/AP)
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman has emerged from rookie backup to a star in his second year.
He leads the league in rushing after Week 7 and said he wants to end the season with the rushing title.
“I do,” Freeman said Wednesday. “But that’s something I share with the offensive linemen. Credit goes to them because they are doing more than me. I am just using my athletic ability and making it happen.”
Freeman has rushed for 621 yards in seven games and Arizona’s Chris Johnson is second with 567 yards in seven games. Five of the NFL’s top 10 players in rushing have played in fewer than seven games, led by Tampa Bay’s Doug Martin at No. 3 with 541 yards in six games.
The Falcons selected Freeman in the fourth round of the 2014 draft out of Florida State. He had just 65 carries for 248 yards as a rookie but has flourished in new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s zone-read offense.
“I’m not surprised,” Freeman said. “I put in the work.”
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