Freeman rushed for 32 yards on eight carries, adding two catches for nine yards as Atlanta lost its third consecutive game, 41-17 to the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman handled 44 percent of the running back carries during Atlanta's road loss to Pittsburgh, with Tevin Coleman fielding 39 percent and Ito Smith 17 percent. Dating back to Week 16 of last season, Freeman has averaged 33.3 yards per game over six starts, with one rushing touchdown during that span. Week 6 brings a matchup with a Tampa Bay defense that has fared extraordinarily well against the run, refusing to allow a single running back to exceed 61 yards in any game over the first four weeks of the season.

Freeman will play Sunday against the Steelers, but will reportedly share snaps with both Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman will presumably start Sunday in his first action since the season opener, but given the length of his layoff and both Coleman and Smith making plays in his absence, he may not see the workload fantasy players are accustomed to when he is at full strength. The Steelers have been one of the stingiest teams in the league in terms of fantasy points allowed against opposing running backs, so Freeman will have a couple things working against him in Week 5. Still, expect the Falcons to make an effort to get him reacclimated with his surroundings.

Freeman (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman has been cleared to return from a three-game absence after turning in a limited practice Wednesday followed by full sessions Thursday and Friday. He'll likely lead the way in the Atlanta backfield, but Tevin Coleman also figures to have a significant role, per usual.

Freeman (knee) practiced fully Thursday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Freeman progressed from limited Wednesday to unhindered Thursday, all but confirming coach Dan Quinn's sentiment that the running back will return Sunday at Pittsburgh. Fellow running back Tevin Coleman (shin) also was a full participant Thursday, meaning the Falcons' backfield has returned to status quo. Expect Freeman to receive a larger share of the RB touches between the two moving forward.

Coach Dan Quinn said he anticipates that Freeman (knee) will be listed as a full participant during Thursday's practice, Jason Butt of The Athletic reports. Quinn also confirmed that the running back would play Sunday against the Steelers, according to Butt.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman was listed as a limited participant Wednesday in the Falcons' first practice of the week, but that classification seemed to come as a surprise to Quinn. Per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, Quinn said Freeman took a normal amount of reps during the session, so it wasn't obvious the 26-year-old faced any restrictions. Freeman appears set to ditch the injury designation for good Thursday and should take back the starting gig from Tevin Coleman on Sunday after missing the past three games with the knee issue. After impressing in the Week 2 game against the Panthers with 107 yards on 16 totes, Coleman has been limited to just 2.9 yards per carry over the past two contests.

Freeman (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donning a normal jersey rather than his previously worn no-contact jersey, Freeman was able to handle contact for the first time since suffering a right knee bruise in the season opener, per Jason Butt of The Athletic. Prior to Wednesday's session, coach Dan Quinn told Wendy Adams of the Falcons Radio Network that Freeman was "champing at the bit to get back" and expected to be a full practice participant all week. Clearly, the Falcons opted to ease Freeman into Week 5 prep, leaving him with two more chances to achieve Quinn's prediction. Backfield mate Tevin Coleman also was limited Wednesday, so there's some question about the immediate breakdown of snaps between the duo.

Coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that he expects Freeman (knee) to resume practicing this week and play Sunday at Pittsburgh, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman's reps were limited in practice a week earlier, resulting in him sitting out a third consecutive contest while Tevin Coleman picked up another start at running back. It appears the extra rest has proven beneficial to Freeman's recovery from the right knee injury, as it looks like he'll increase his involvement in practice this week before returning to action Sunday. The Falcons will presumably want to see how Freeman looks in those practice sessions before determining his level of involvement in the Week 5 contest, so it's not a lock that he'll see his usual snap load if active against Pittsburgh. Nonetheless, the impending return of their top back qualifies as good news for a Falcons offense that has already proven explosive in his absence.

Coach Dan Quinn said Monday that he's hopeful Freeman (knee) will return for Week 5 at Pittsburgh, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman didn't come all that close to playing in Sunday's 37-36 loss to Cincinnati, logging limited practices Thursday and Friday before being ruled out on the final injury report. It sounds like he could at least move toward a game-time decision this week, with a return to full practice participation likely pointing in the direction of an appearance. Tevin Coleman has been disappointing as the fill-in starter, averaging 83 scrimmage yards with one touchdown in three games.

Freeman (knee) will not play in Sunday's game against the Bengals, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman still hasn't been cleared to take contact, leaving Tevin Coleman as the leader of Atlanta's backfield for a third consecutive week. Freeman did make it back to limited practice participation Thursday, potentially setting him up for a return Week 5 against the Steelers.

Freeman (knee) was present for Friday's practice but was wearing a non-contact jersey, according to Jason Butt of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman practiced on a limited basis Thursday, and his presence Friday indicates he could get some work in for a second day in a row. However, he will need to be cleared for contact before he returns to action, and it remains to be seen if that will happen before the Falcons' Week 4 matchup with the Bengals.