Freeman is in line to be held out of Friday's preseason game against the Chiefs, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

EDGE Analysis

The same also applies to star wideout Julio Jones, with both players likely to see action in next's Saturday's contest against the Jaguars.

Coach Dan Quinn said Freeman will be "available" for Friday's preseason game versus the Chiefs, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

From training camp through the Falcons' defeat in the wild-card round last season, Freeman couldn't avoid the injury bug, enduring a pair of concussions and MCL and PCL sprains in his right knee. While the Falcons likely don't want to have him avoid contact entirely, they'll seemingly be strategic about when he experiences game action. If he earns some snaps Friday, it could be the only appearance he makes during the preseason.

Freeman won't play in Friday's preseason contest against the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman was afflicted by a number of injuries in 2017, including two concussions and MCL and PCL sprains in his right knee. As a result, the Falcons are playing it safe with one of the key pieces of the offense. Look for Freeman to make an in-game appearance by the team's third exhibition Aug. 25 at Jacksonville.

Freeman (knee) plans to participate in Matt Ryan's off-site passing camp in July, William McFadden of the Falcons' official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman played through MCL and PCL sprains during the playoffs and avoided offseason surgery, but he seems to have been limited to individual drills during OTAs and June minicamp. While he should be ready for the start of training camp, the 26-year-old comes with more risk than in past seasons, after suffering the aforementioned knee injury and a pair of concussions in 2017. Including the playoffs. Freeman handled 933 touches the past three seasons, with at least 266 each year. The Falcons could look to give Tevin Coleman a bit more work in the final season of his rookie contract, as they have a clear interest in keeping Freeman healthy for the long haul after signing him to a five-year, $41.25 million extension last summer.

Freeman indicated Wednesday that he has made significant progress in his recovery from a sprained MCL and PCL, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "I'm able to do a lot of things that I couldn't do back in January and February. Running, cutting, sprinting and getting little stronger."

EDGE Analysis

Freeman played through the sprains during the postseason, but he only compiled 28 carries for 73 yards and six grabs for 29 yards in the pair of playoff contests. He may not be 100 percent for the start of Organized Team Activities beginning May 21, but his progress certainly suggests he should be a full participant at some point before training camp. Freeman will break in a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension with the Falcons in 2018, but he should remain part of a committee alongside Tevin Coleman. While general manager Thomas Dimitroff hasn't ruled out keeping both backs long-term, it's also possible that Coleman -- entering 2018 in the final year of his rookie contract -- will move on after the season. If that's the case, Freeman would likely take on a larger share of the carries beginning in 2019.

Freeman (knee) appeared to be on a side field doing rehab work Tuesday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman played through a sprained MCL and PCL in his right knee during the playoffs, managing only 73 yards on 28 carries and 29 yards on six receptions, though he did score two touchdowns in two games. He also suffered a pair of concussions last season, bringing his reported total to three during his NFL career. It's no surprise to see Freeman doing rehab work while the Falcons start their offseason program, as he said in late March that he wasn't sure if he'd be ready for Organized Team Activities in May. He does expect to be back at full strength before training camp, where he'll prepare for the first season of the five-year, $41.25 million extension he signed in August. Fellow running back Tevin Coleman is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said it isn't out of the question that both backs could be retained long term.

Freeman said his injured right knee is "progressing on the up and up" , Alec McQuade of 11Alive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freeman sprained his MCL and PCL in Week 17, and while the injury didn't stop him from playing in both of Atlanta's playoff contests, he was limited to 73 yards on 28 carries (2.6 average) and 29 yards on six receptions, albeit with a pair of touchdowns. Despite avoiding offseason surgery, he seems to be acknowledging that his right knee still isn't back to full strength. Freeman said in February that he wasn't sure if he would be ready for Organized Team Activities in May, perhaps hinting that he's more focused on getting back to full strength for training camp. His history of head injuries might ultimately be a larger concern than the knee, after he suffered concussions in August and November last season, with the second leading to a two-game absence. He also missed a game in November 2015 while recovering from a concussion.

Freeman (knee) said in a Feb. 2 interview with Mike Florio of NBC Sports Radio's "PFT Live" that he's not ruling out taking part in the Falcons' Organized Team Activities during the spring, Adam Wells of Bleacher Report reports. "Possibly," Freeman said about being ready for OTAs. "But I'm going to take my time and let [his right knee] heal so I won't have to deal with little nicks and knacks throughout the season, because that's the most important time for me. So I'm going to take my time and let it heal, get stronger. I need to be free when I'm out there."

EDGE Analysis

Shortly after the Falcons were eliminated from the playoffs in their divisional-round loss to the Eagles, Freeman relayed that he was playing through a sprained MCL and PCL in the knee, an injury he initially suffered in a Week 17 win over the Panthers. The two-time Pro Bowler was able to avoid surgery to address the matter, but remains conscious of easing up on his workload leading up to training camp in order to avoid a potential setback. It's not expected that Freeman will face many limitations -- if any -- by the time camp opens, so he should enter the 2018 campaign as a borderline top-10 fantasy option at running back in most settings after amassing 1,100 or more yards in each of the past three years.

Head coach Dan Quinn revealed Thursday that Freeman won't require surgery on the MCL and PCL sprains in his right knee, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Saturday's divisional-round defeat at Philadelphia, Freeman discussed his health, noting the aforementioned knee issues. He was still a force as a runner and pass catcher throughout his fourth campaign, but his effectiveness in the former realm waned down the stretch. As evidence, he failed to reach 4.0 YPC in five of the Falcons' last seven contests, including each of the last four (including playoffs). Nonetheless, Freeman still averaged 84.4 yards from scrimmage per game and scored eight touchdowns in 14 regular-season outings, so he remains a valued fantasy asset, despite the presence of all-purpose RB Tevin Coleman in his own backfield.

Freeman said after Saturday's loss at Philadelphia that he ended the season with MCL and PCL sprains in his right knee, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After sitting out Weeks 11 and 12 as he proceeded through the concussion protocol, Freeman didn't appear to have his prototypical burst over the last seven games, including playoffs, a span in which he failed to averaged 4.0 YPC on five separate occasions. His ability as a pass catcher and nose for the end zone helped him maintain relevance, but his health was nonetheless compromised, as he revealed Saturday. Freeman is hopeful that he'll be able to avoid surgery, but upcoming evaluations likely will determine the early months of his offseason.