Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who’s been battling knee and groin injuries, is headed for injured reserved, the team announced on Tuesday.
Freeman is set to have groin surgery and will miss at least eight games. He would be eligible for a return in Week 16. He could return for a potential late-season playoff push if the Falcons can rebound from a poor 2-4 start.
Fox Sports was first to report the news.
Freeman played in the opener and suffered what was reported as a knee bruise against the Eagles. He missed the next three games before playing against the Steelers. He rushed eight times for 32 yards, but didn’t look explosive on a 20-yard run after he got in the open field.
Freeman didn’t play in the next game, last week’s win over the Buccaneers, with what was disclosed as a groin injury on Friday. It was listed as a knee injury on the previous injury reports.
“Following the game against Pittsburgh, where Devonta injured his foot, we thought he was just having general soreness in his groin area,” head coach Dan Quinn said in a statement. “As the week went on, it continued so we decided to have him get some tests. It has been determined that he will need a procedure that will result in us placing him on injured reserve. We are hopeful he will be able to return this season, but we will have a better feel for that in the coming weeks.”
The rushing attack has struggled as Freeman, the team's leading rusher each of the last three years, has been injured.
The Falcons are averaging 86 yards rushing per game, which ranks 29th in the league.
Tevin Coleman and rookie Ito Smith have taken over most of the carries, but have been ineffective mostly because of poor run blocking.
Freeman’s injury problems can be traced back to the final game of the regular season against the Panthers in 2017. He played well against the Rams in the wild card playoff round, but was slowed in the divisional round against the Eagles.
He did not have offseason surgery on his right knee.
The Falcons' defense already has lost starting safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen to season-ending injuries and linebacker Deion Jones for at least eight weeks. Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (ankle) has missed the past two games.
Offensive guard Andy Levitre (elbow) also is on injured reserved.
This is the second straight season Freeman has missed time with injuries. He also missed two games in 2017 with a concussion.
After running for more than 1,000 yards in 2015 and 2016, Freeman finished with 865 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, along with 36 receptions, last season.
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