Freeman's (hamstring) status for Saturday's preseason game against the Dolphins is unclear, Vaughn McClure of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, fellow running back Tevin Coleman is ahead of Freeman in terms of his recovery from a hamstring strain and is thus expected to play in Saturday's contest. With the two currently competing for the Falcons' top RB job, the sooner Freeman gets back to 100 percent, the better, as he tries to hold of the challenge of Coleman, the Falcons' 2015 third-rounder.

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman will be a game-time decision for Friday's preseason game against the New York Jets due to a hamstring injury, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Freeman and rookie rusher Tevin Coleman are both uncertain to play in Friday's game after returning to practice from near-identical hamstring issues earlier this week.

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman returned to practice Monday after recovering from a hamstring strain, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Freeman is currently the favorite to open the season as the Falcons' starter at running back, but rookie Tevin Coleman -- who is expected to compete for the position -- returned from a hamstring ailment of his own Monday.

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is expected to miss at least two weeks because of a hamstring injury, according to ESPN. Freeman suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain on Thursday, but his availability for the start of the regular season is not believed to be in jeopardy. The 23-year-old is currently the frontrunner for the starting spot after amassing 473 total yards and two touchdowns as a rookie last season. His primary competition is rookie third-round pick Tevin Coleman, though Coleman suffered a similar injury on the same day as Freeman, leaving Antone Smith and Jerome Smith to absorb the majority of the backfield reps for the next two weeks of training camp. Freeman will return with roughly two weeks remaining before the start of the regular season, and is likely to see limited playing time in any preseason games.

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman left Thursday's practice due to a strained hamstring. The second-year rusher is currently favored to take over for the departed Steven Jackson as the starter in the backfield, but he and rookie Tevin Coleman are now both dealing with hamstring injuries.

At this stage, Freeman has a leg up on rookie Tevin Coleman for the Falcons' No. 1 running back slot, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Not surprisingly, coach Dan Quinn has yet declare a winner in that position battle, but in his second year as a pro, opportunity knocks for Freeman, with the Falcons re-tooling a backfield that bid adieu to both Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers since the end of the 2014 season. Aside from an advantage in terms of experience, Freeman's good hands and route-running help put him in a position to see added touches in 2015 after carrying just 65 times for 248 and catching 30 passes for 225 yards as a rookie.

Freeman has reportedly impressed the Falcons' new coaching staff with his pass-catching skills, ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports. With the Falcons having parted ways with both Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers, Freeman now has third-round pick Tevin Coleman to compete with for carries. As a second-year pro, Freeman has the edge in experience, but the report suggests that a likely outcome in the team's backfield is a time-share involving the duo, with Antone Smith on hand to serve in a complementary role. Either way, Freeman is in line for a boost in action this coming season, after having recorded just 65 carries for 248 yards and a TD as a rookie.

Freeman and Tevin Coleman are expected to compete for touches, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The Journal-Constitution's Orlando D. Ledbetter considers Coleman and Freeman 1A and 1B, respectively, on an early estimation of the Falcons' depth chart. While Freeman's seniority will likely give him the top spot on the team's first official depth chart this summer, it's safe to assume Coleman, a third-round draft pick, will compete for the starting job. Antone Smith will also be in the mix for touches, but he's mostly been used as a pass-catcher and occasional big-play threat during his tenure with the Falcons.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said there is "no question" that Freeman can serve as a full-time back in Atlanta's offense, the Falcons' official website reports. Steven Jackson was recently released, while Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith are both set to become unrestricted free agents. That leaves Freeman as the team's projected starter for 2015, but there's still an entire offseason that needs to play out, with a strong group of running backs in both free agency and the draft. There has been no shortage of Freeman hype so far this offseason.

Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that he loved Freeman as a prospect in the 2014 draft, Jay Adams of the team's official website reports.While praise from a newly-hired coach isn't all that meaningful, Freeman should have a shot at a much larger role in 2015. The Falcons' backfield will be worth keeping a close eye on, with Freeman and Steven Jackson under contract for 2015, while Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith are set to become unrestricted free agents.