Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who rushed for seven yards on 10 carries and missed a blitz pick up in the playoff loss to the Eagles, believes that he might need knee surgery, according to an ESPN.com report.
Freeman was listed on the team’s injury report with a knee injury. He said, in the report, that he suffered sprained posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.
Freeman suffered two concussions this season and rushed for 865 yards on 196 carries and seven touchdowns. He’d rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the two previous seasons.
Freeman agreed to a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid running back in the NFL in August. The deal had a $15 million signing bonus and included $22 million in guaranteed money.
Here’s what Freeman had to say to the media after the game:
On your initial thoughts of the game: "It's tough. Especially, we were not looking too far forward but we know we were one step closer getting to our destination. With it to end like this, I am just glad to be a part of this organization, be on a team full of guys that are going to fight."
On what the team has to do to get to that destination: "That is a great beginning especially with everything we stand for. Everything that is out there for us, we just have to come back next year and finish opportunities. I feel like it is important for us to finish strong and close things out."
On the performance of the offense in the first half versus the second half: "Just coming down and executing and taking it one play at a time."
On how frustrating it is to come out in the second half and not being able to finish: "It is always frustrating when you get a loss, period. It does not matter how it comes. If you are up 30, down 20 and come back, whatever it is, it's frustrating. Especially, knowing in this life, there is no tomorrow."
On whether they should have run the ball on fourth-and-2: "Whatever is best. Whatever coach calls, we need to execute and make plays."
On how fans will play "Monday morning quarterback" and your thoughts on the play-calling once the team reached the Eagles nine-yard line on the final drive: "I just know I do not control that. I just play my part, and play my role and try to bring as much energy and help the team as best I could."
On the offensive struggles this season and the way the season ended: "Like I said, in this life, there is no tomorrow for us. We go home and have to wait a long time, all the way to like August, September. All you can do now is go home and recoup and look forward to next season."
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