Over the first 10 games of the season, Falcons running back Michael Turner had 200 carries for 888 yards (4.4 per carry) and eight touchdowns.
Over the past five games, Turner has 84 carries for 280 yards (3.1 per carry) and one touchdown.
It was during week of the 11th game that Turner first appeared on the injury report with a groin injury. Turner, who had offseason groin surgery, contends that his play hasn’t dropped because of his health.
“We’ve been resting Michael on Wednesdays, in our Wednesday practices,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “He has had a groin that’s bothering him. That’s what’s been listed on his injury report, but we’ve been trying to keep him out on Wednesday to reduce his workload and then get him back out here on Thursday and Friday.
“Sometimes we’ve held him out on Thursday as well, based on how he’s feeling and the recommendation of the doctor and trainer.”
Turner’s 284 carries are the second-highest in the NFL, behind Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew’s 318.
Turner has caught a career-high 17 passes for 168 yards this season, giving him 1,436 total yards.
“His numbers are down a little bit, but Michael’s had a very good season for us,” Smith said.
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