With running back Devonta Freeman nursing a quadriceps injury, Tevin Coleman will likely get more opportunities against the Raiders.
Coleman’s explosive plays were a bright spot in the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay. While both backs were stymied on the ground, Coleman caught a career-high five passes for 95 yards, including a electric 47-yard gain.
Freeman is expected to play, but Coleman may be featured more.
“I’m a running back,” Freeman said. “I want to run the ball all the time. I feel like every athlete wants the ball in their hands all of the time. We get judged off our running game, so of course I want to make the running game better.”
The Falcons’ rushing attack needs a boost.
Atlanta’s 53 yards rushing against Tampa Bay was the Falcons’ lowest output since rushing for 17 yards against San Francisco on Nov. 8, 2015. The last time the Falcons rushed for more than 100 yards was against Minnesota (116 yards) on Nov. 29.
Over the past six games, dating to last season, the Falcons have rushed 155 times for 417 yards, an average of 2.6 yards per carry.
The Raiders, led by linebacker Malcolm Smith’s eight tackles, held the Saints to 88 yards rushing on 22 carries (4 yards per carry) in the opener.
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