Falcons running back Steven Jackson has increased his rehabilitation and conditioning work with team trainers and could return to practice soon, coach Mike Smith said today.
Jackson, the projected starter, has been out since suffering a right hamstring injury during practice on July 29. Smith said Jackson remains on track to be ready for the season opener on Sept. 7.
“We are encouraged by what he has done over on that side with athletic performance,” Smith said.
Smith said it’s still not clear when Jackson would return to practice. He noted that defensive tackle Corey Peters was at one point projected to be out until the first week of the regular season while recovering from Achilles heel surgery but Peters was back on the field this week.
“It’s going to depend on the individual in terms of how he feels and once the doctor gives him the clear to go, then he will go,” Smith said.
Smith said he wouldn’t rule out playing Jackson in the exhibition finale on Aug. 28 at Jacksonville, though Smith’s usual practice is to sit his starters for that game.
Jackson, 31, joined the Falcons as their top free-agent signing on offense in 2013 but had a disappointing season marred by injuries. He missed four games with a left hamstring injury and rushed 157 times for 543 yards, a career-low average of 3.5, with six touchdowns.
Veteran running back Jacquizz Rodgers has started both exhibition games. Rookie Devonta Freeman, a fourth-round pick, is the leading rusher in exhibition games with 81 yards on 16 carries.
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