Freeman carried the ball 11 times for 22 yards, adding 42 receiving yards on three catches (four targets).

EDGE Analysis

Freeman's efforts as a receiver barely salvaged what would have been an abysmal effort on the ground. The 27-year-old isn't old by running back standards yet, but he is coming off a serious lower-body injury that limited the back to just two contests in 2018. Freeman is still seeing the lion's share of carries, so there is hope he can break out against a Colts' defense that has been gashed on the ground through the first two weeks of the season.

Freeman carried the ball eight times for 19 yards in Week 1 against the Vikings. He also added three receptions on four targets for 12 yards.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman was unable to get anything going on the ground, as his longest rush went for just five yards. The Falcons fell behind quickly, leading to them largely abandoning the run and somewhat excusing Freeman's down performance. More concerning, however, was the fact that Ito Smith nearly split carries evenly with Freeman after he coughed up a fumble early in the game, as Smith racked up six carries as opposed to Freeman's eight. Still, given the positive reviews Freeman had drawn throughout the offseason, it would be a surprise to see the team turn away from him after just one inefficient week. That said, Freeman's usage in Week 2 against Philadelphia will still be worth monitoring.

Freeman carried the ball two times for three yards in the team's fourth preseason contest against Washington. He also hauled in his only target for a six-yard reception.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman was on the field for only the team's first offensive possession. His most impressive run came on the initial play of the game, which would have gone for nine yards if not for a holding penalty that nullified the gain. Most importantly, Freeman has remained healthy throughout the preseason, and will enter the regular season as the team's primary back.

Coach Dan Quinn said Freeman has come back stronger from last year's groin injury, showing improved explosion in his cuts, Jason Butt of The Athletic reports. "[Freeman]'s had an outstanding offseason," Quinn said. "The energy he brought back, starting with OTAs, he's a stronger man than what he was prior to his injury."

EDGE Analysis

Held back by a slew of injuries the past two seasons, Freeman returned healthy for the start of the offseason program and has remained that way throughout training camp. The Falcons rested him for their first two preseason games, leaving extra reps for the slew of players competing for backup work -- namely Ito Smith, Brian Hill and Qadree Ollison. None of the bunch poses a real threat to Freeman's starting job, but recent history suggests there's room for a second player to get regular touches in the Atlanta backfield. It isn't clear if Freeman will get any work in Thursday's exhibition against the Jets.

Freeman will be held out of Thursday's preseason contest at Miami, Matthew Tabeek of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman has been injury-prone the past two seasons, missing 16 combined games, so it's not a shock coach Dan Quinn is keeping him on the sidelines. The Falcons' No. 1 running back will thus yield reps to Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison, Brian Hill, Kenjon Barner and Tony Brooks-James in the second of the team's five exhibitions.

Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed Sunday that Freeman is the unquestioned starting running back, while a contingent of Ito Smith, Brian Hill and Qadree Ollison battles for the No. 2 role behind him, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

No surprise here. Quinn is making a statement that there exists a clear divide in the Atlanta backfield -- it's Freeman, and then everyone else. Concern with Freeman is all about durability, as the two-time Pro Bowler has missed 16 games the past two years after sitting out just one game during his first three professional seasons. Freeman is a force to be reckoned with when healthy, as illustrated by his output of 3,175 yards from scrimmage and 27 total touchdowns in 31 games between 2015 and 2016. Reservations about his health, meanwhile, are somewhat dissuaded by the fact that he was able to participate fully for the team's offseason program.

Freeman isn't expected to play in Thursday's Hall of Fame Game versus the Broncos, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Falcons are facing a five-game exhibition slate instead of the typical quartet, so it's not a shock that players with guaranteed gigs are getting the night off, perhaps the first of many for a player like Freeman during the preseason. With Freeman likely in street clothes, the backfield will be the domain of second-year pro Ito Smith and 2019 fifth-round pick Qadree Ollison out of the gate.

Coach Dan Quinn said Freeman looks like his old self again, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official website reports. "He was another one who had so much to prove and to get back out on the field and to recapture his energy and style so quickly," Quinn said. "I was very happy to see that. He looks so much like himself."

EDGE Analysis

Entering Year 2 of a five-year, $41.25 million extension, Freeman returned from season-ending groin surgery to participate in OTAs and June minicamp. Between the contract and Tevin Coleman's departure for San Francisco, the Falcons have every incentive to reinstall Freeman as a heavily featured part of their offense. He's only 27 years old and will be running behind an offensive line that added two first-round picks during the draft, but his prime setup won't matter if Freeman can't stay healthy. He missed games early last season with a knee bruise and a foot contusion before the groin issue wiped out his campaign for good. The 2017 injury log included two concussions and an MCL/PCL sprain, though Freeman only missed two games along the way. Atlanta's subpar backup RB situation -- Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison, Brian Hill, Kenjon Barner -- hints at a degree of confidence in Freeman returning to form.

Freeman is participating in OTAs, Kelsey Conway of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman -- who dealt with various injury issues last season -- couldn't quite make it back from injured reserve in December, but he at least seems to have returned to full strength before the start of Atlanta's offseason program. The team brings back all its Week 1 starters from last season at the skill positions, while longtime backfield mate Tevin Coleman is now with the 49ers. Dirk Koetter is replacing Steve Sarkisian as the team's offensive coordinator, hoping to establish a better rushing attack with the help of two first-round picks on the offensive line (Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary). While his recent track record with running games isn't encouraging, Koetter hasn't had much backfield talent to work with since Doug Martin had a big year for the Bucs in 2015. It could be more of the same if Freeman struggles with injuries, as the backup situation doesn't inspire much confidence, featuring Ito Smith, Qadree Ollison, Brian Hill and Kenjon Barber. Freeman should stay busy whenever he's healthy.

Freeman will be "full go" for training camp in mid-July, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

This shouldn't come as much of a surprise, especially since Freeman did not require offseason knee surgery, as the Falcons seemed to let valuable backup Tevin Coleman go the 49ers during the offseason without so much of a whimper. Still it's encouraging to hear that Freeman, who was limited to two games in 2018 thanks to knee, foot and groin injuries, will be able to carry the load behind an offensive line that should be improved thanks to two 2019 first-round picks.