Coleman’s rib injury could derail rushing attack

The Falcons rushing attack got off to a good start against the New York Giants before fading over the last three quarters.

Some of that was related to rookie running back Tevin Coleman, who suffered a rib injury in the second quarter that was severe enough for him to be carted off the field. He did not return to the action.

Coleman had nine carries for 32 yards, including a long of 11 yards and a 1-yard touchdown run.

Coach Dan Quinn did not have an update on Coleman’s status afterwards.

Devonta Freeman took over for Coleman, finishing with 25 yards on 12 carries, including the game-winning touchdown run from 2 yards out.

If Coleman is out for an extended period, Freeman and Terron Ward are the lone two backs on the roster. When teams cut down to 53-man rosters around the league, the Falcons were interested in running back Montee Ball, a former member of the Denver Broncos.

Without a rushing attack, Matt Ryan attempted 46 passes. The Falcons’ offense is designed around a viable rushing attack, which Ryan can buy time with play-action fakes, rollouts and bootlegs.

“We’ve done a pretty good job of kind of adjusting to the new scheme,” Ryan said. “Certainly, we are going to continue to get better.”

Re-establishing the rushing attack will be important in coming days.

“Play-action is an important part of what we are going to do,” Ryan said. “So is running the football. We’ve done a decent job of both of those. I think we have to run it a little bit better than we did today.”