The Falcons normally give veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney a day off from practice each week to keep him fresh, but a thigh injury has put his status in doubt for Sunday’s game against the Packers.
Freeney didn’t practice Thursday because of the injury, and coach Dan Quinn said the team likely won’t make a decision about his availability until Saturday.
“For sure there is (concern),” Quinn said Thursday. “We are going to take it through today and tomorrow. I know he is improving. But as far as his availability, until we get back out on to the field and you really can push it and go, that’s where I will know he is ready to get rocking and do what he does.”
If Freeney can’t play, Quinn said Adrian Clayborn and Brooks Reed would fill Freeney’s role as an outside rusher on passing downs and in two-minute situations.
Freeney, 36, has played 193 snaps over seven games this season (27.5 per game) compared with 255 snaps over 11 games (23.2 per game) for the Cardinals in 2015. Freeney ranks second on the team with three sacks.
“We don’t feature him in a lot of stuff, but the stuff that we do feature him in, man, you’ve got to explode,” Quinn said. “When you are in third-down or two-minute (situtations), that’s not the time to coast. He ain’t about that.”
Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (hamstring) remains out.
Quinn said Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (hip) would participate fully in practice Thursday after he was limited Wednesday.
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