Freeman (groin) is the Falcons' unquestioned No. 1 running back following the free-agent departure of Tevin Coleman, Tim Weaver of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman won't be able to replace Coleman's speed component, but as he puts an injury-plagued season behind him, the former is slated to retain a substantial share of the Falcons' backfield reps. Among Freeman's competition is 2018 fourth-rounder Ito Smith, who managed 467 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns as Coleman's complement as a rookie. Beyond Smith, Brian Hill and Kenjon Barner round out the depth chart. As long as he avoids the injury bug in 2019, Freeman is a good bet to approach a large workload like he did from 2015 through 2017, when he averaged 283.7 touches for 1,452.3 yards from scrimmage and 11.7 touchdowns per campaign.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank mentioned Freeman (groin), Matt Ryan and Julio Jones as franchise cornerstones to lead a 2019 rebound, ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure reports.

EDGE Analysis

Limited to two games this past season, Freeman seemed to be making progress late in the year and might've had a shot to play if the Falcons had reached the playoffs. Alas, they fell out of the hunt around Week 14/15, removing any chance for the running back to return from injured reserve after he had groin surgery in mid-October. With Tevin Coleman expected to find a new home in free agency, Freeman is locked in for the lead role under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, who held the same position in Atlanta during Freeman's 2014 rookie campaign. Freeman will turn 27 in March and should be back to full strength for the start of the Falcons' offseason program in mid-April. He has four seasons remaining on a five-year, $41.25 million extension, though the structure of the deal could make him vulnerable next offseason if he disappoints in 2019.

Coach Dan Quinn confirmed Wednesday that Freeman (groin) wouldn't be activated from injured reserve ahead of either of the Falcons' final two games of 2018, Will McFadden of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the 5-9 Falcons officially eliminated from playoff contention, there wouldn't be much upside to bringing Freeman back after an extended absence following surgery to address a core-muscle injury. Freeman, who had also been dealing with a foot injury prior to being shut down, will likely be back to full strength for OTAs and should have a clear path to the lead-back role in 2019 with impending free agent Tevin Coleman unlikely to be retained. Coleman should at least dominate the backfield snaps for the Falcons' last two games after the team elected to place his top complement, rookie Ito Smith (knee), on IR earlier this week.

Freeman (groin) isn't ready to practice and isn't expected to return this season, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was some talk about Freeman wanting to return for the final two weeks, but it never felt realistic once the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention. With Ito Smith (knee) set to join Freeman on injured reserve, Tevin Coleman could be busy over the final two weeks of the season, presumably auditioning for the lead role in a different backfield for 2019. Coleman is in the final season of his rookie contract, while Freeman's five-year, $41.25 million extension runs through 2022. The Falcons are left with Brian Hill as their No. 2 running back for Week 16 at Carolina.

Coach Dan Quinn said he gets the sense Freeman (groin) wants to return for Week 16 if he is deemed healthy enough to do so, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman has been back in Atlanta with his teammates since the first week of December, but it's hard to see how he could be cleared for Week 16 given that he still hasn't participated in practice. While a Week 17 appearance sounds somewhat more reasonable, there isn't much to be gained from subjecting a rusty veteran running back to live hits in a meaningless game. Freeman probably won't be tasked with a large workload if he does make it back this season.

Coach Dan Quinn said Friday that Freeman (groin) remains a candidate to return from injured reserve this season, Jason Butt of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Falcons placed Freeman on injured reserve back on Oct. 16 after it was revealed that he would require surgery to address a lingering groin injury. Freeman, who had been away from the team for much of the past two months while conducting his rehab in Philadelphia, is now back in Atlanta and is being evaluated on a week-to-week basis, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Freeman is eligible to return from IR ahead of Week 15, but with the running back having yet to resume practicing yet, a return over the final two weeks of the regular season is probably a more realistic goal. Even that might be overly ambitious, given that the Falcons are 4-8 and may not be inclined to bring back Freeman if a playoff bid isn't in reach.

Coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that Freeman (groin/foot) is a candidate to return from injured reserve later in the season, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

By virtue of being placed on injured reserve Tuesday, Freeman will have to miss at least the next eight weeks, making the Falcons' Dec. 23 game against the Panthers in Week 16 the earliest date he could return. Quinn noted that the Falcons' standing in the NFC playoff picture would likely dictate whether Freeman is activated, but the expectation is that the running back will be fully recovered from both injuries by late December. While it was a bone bruise in Freeman's foot that sidelined him for the Week 6 win over the Buccaneers, he elected to undergo surgery Thursday to address a groin injury that had also been plaguing him lately. While Freeman is on the mend, both Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith will be in line for enhanced roles out of the backfield.

Freeman will undergo groin surgery on Thursday in Philadelphia, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Dan Quinn went into detail about Freeman's health Tuesday, when the running back was placed on IR. "Following the game against Pittsburgh, where Devonta injured his foot, we thought he was just having general soreness in his groin area," Quinn told Will McFadden of the Falcons' official site. "As the week went on it continued so we decided to have him get some tests. It has been determined that he will need a procedure that will result in us placing him on injured reserve. We are hopeful he will be able to return this season, but we will have a better feel for that in the coming weeks." As Quinn noted, Freeman will have a chance to return this season, which could happen as early as Week 15 versus the Cardinals. While Freeman focuses on his recovery, the Falcons will continue to use Tevin Coleman as the primary back and Ito Smith in a complementary role.

Freeman is slated for groin surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The impetus for the roster move has come to light, with surgery ordered up on the groin injury that emerged late last week. Freeman must spend eight weeks on IR before he can be considered for activation to the 53-man roster, meaning he may be able to return as early as Week 15 against the Cardinals if his recovery goes off without a hitch. In the meantime, Tevin Coleman will serve as the Falcons' No. 1 back while Ito Smith handles change-of-pace work.

The Falcons are expected to place Freeman (groin/foot) on injured reserve Tuesday, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman has been "week-to-week" for some time, so he'll now have plenty of time to heal up for a potential return late in the season. Moving forward, the Falcons backfield will be composed of Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith.