Falcons’ Tevin Coleman enters NFL concussion protocol

November 26, 2017 Atlanta: Falcons head coach Dan Quinn gives running back Tevin Coleman a hug after his first of two touchdown runs against the Buccaneers during the second half on the way to a 34-20 victory in a NFL football game on Sunday, November 26, 2017, in Atlanta.   Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

November 26, 2017 Atlanta: Falcons head coach Dan Quinn gives running back Tevin Coleman a hug after his first of two touchdown runs against the Buccaneers during the second half on the way to a 34-20 victory in a NFL football game on Sunday, November 26, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Falcons running back Tevin Coleman is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, coach Dan Quinn said Friday.

He left the game against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night and did not return.

“He had a concussion, and he’s in the concussion protocol,” Quinn said. “We’ll let the doctors do their thing. When he’s cleared, we’ll go through the whole process with him.”

Coleman rushed nine times for 32 yards before leaving the game after he was stuffed by Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins for a 3-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

Running back Devonta Freeman missed two full games and most of a third with a concussion. While he was out, Coleman took over and rushed for 83 yards against Dallas, 43 against Seattle and 97 against Tampa Bay.

When Freeman was in the concussion protocol, Terron Ward backed up Coleman.