ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Falcons’ Freeman, Shelby and Bethel out for Bengals game

Defense to get a boost from the return of Takk McKinley
2017, Round 1, Pick 26: Takk McKinley, defensive end, played in all 16 regular season games and the playoffs, recording 6 sacks and 15 tackles. What happened next? He is entering the second year of a four-year, $10.21 million contract.

Credit: Kevin C. Cox

Credit: Kevin C. Cox

2017, Round 1, Pick 26: Takk McKinley, defensive end, played in all 16 regular season games and the playoffs, recording 6 sacks and 15 tackles. What happened next? He is entering the second year of a four-year, $10.21 million contract.
By
Sept 28, 2018

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (knee), defensive end Derrick Shelby (knee) and cornerback Justin Bethel (knee) will not play against the Bengals at 1 p.m. Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, according to coach Dan Quinn.

Defensive end Takk McKinley, who’s tied for the team lead in sacks with two, is set to return from his groin injury.

Freeman, who returned to practice Thursday after a helmet hit his knee late in the season opener against the Eagles on Sept. 6, likely will return next week against Pittsburgh.

With Freeman out, his time-share partner Tevin Coleman rushed for 107 yards on 26 carries in the 31-24 win over Carolina. In the 43-37 overtime loss to the Saints, Coleman was held in check. He had 15 carries for 33 yards.

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Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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