Freeman racked up 38 yards on just four carries in Sunday's loss to the Giants. Freeman was by far the most effective runner for the Falcons on Sunday, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt. Despite the encouraging numbers, Freeman was only on the field for 16 snaps, trailing starter Steven Jackson (26) and backup Jacquizz Rodgers (19), so his ceiling is clearly limited.

Freeman only tallied 20 total yards in Sunday's loss to the Vikings. Freeman caught two balls for 12 yards and gained eight yards on two carries. Steven Jackson got the most work, but Antone Smith was the most impressive, tallying 62 yards and a touchdown on four carries. Freeman's lack of work will continue to limit his upside going forward.

Freeman had 10 carries for 14 yards and one reception for seven yards in Thursday's 56-14 win over the Buccaneers. He also lost a fumble. The 11 touches aren't encouraging, as Freeman saw nearly all of his work in garbage time. The fumble can only hurt his chances to earn a role in the offense, and it also doesn't help his cause that Antone Smith has looked good.

Freeman caught two balls for 22 yards in Sunday's loss to the Bengals. Although he averaged over 10 yards per catch, Freeman was never used in the run game. It appears it will take an injury for Freeman's fantasy ceiling to rise. Currently he's behind Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers, who tallied 11 and five carries respectively against the Bengals.

Freeman carried the ball two times for 15 yards and caught a pair of passes for 13 yards in Sunday's overtime win against New Orleans. Freeman help set up a touchdown in the second quarter when he made a hard-fought 13-yard catch on 3rd-and-12 in the red zone. He saw one more touch than Antone Smith, although Smith scored on a 54-yard touchdown catch. Meanwhile, Steven Jackson (hamstring) led Atlanta with 52 yards on 12 carries, and Jacquizz Rodgers scored late in the fourth quarter. The rookie Freeman probably has the most upside of any of the team's running backs, but he's going to need a couple of injuries to make a huge splash this season.

Freeman had 42 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries and 45 yards on five reception (five targets) in Thursday's preseason finale against the Jaguars. Freeman finished his impressive preseason on a high note while working as the Falcons' primary running back after the first quarter. That he played into the fourth quarter isn't a bad thing, as the Falcons presumably just wanted to get an extended look at their promising rookie. Jacquizz Rodgers started Thursday's game and will likely enter Week 1 as Steven Jackson's (hamstring) top backup, but both Freeman and Antone Smith could push for touches. With Rodgers largely unimpressive to this point in his career, it wouldn't be surprising if Freeman eventually emerges as the top backup to the aging and somewhat injury-prone Jackson. Should Jackson suffer a setback before Week 1, the Falcons would likely use some combination of Rodgers, Freeman and Smith, rather than heavily leaning on Rodgers.

Freeman had 11 yards on four carries and 33 yards on four receptions in Saturday's preseason game against the Titans. Jacquizz Rodgers started and took most of the first-team touches, but both Freeman and Antone Smith were worked in with the starters. While Rodgers still figures to enter the season as Steven Jackson's (hamstring) top backup, Freeman looked good during the preseason and could push for that role. Jackson is expected to be ready for Week 1, but if that doesn't come to fruition, it isn't entirely clear how the workload will be divided.

Freeman gained 31 yards on six carries and 11 yards on one reception in Saturday's preseason game against the Texans. Though he's been used behind both players, Freeman has outperformed Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith through two preseason games. Between Steven Jackson's (hamstring) age/injury history and Rodgers' poor track record, Freeman could have a role in the Atlanta offense early in the season, even though he's currently listed fourth on the depth chart.

Freeman returned to practice on Tuesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Freeman left the field during Monday's practice, but coach Mike Smith relayed after the session that Freeman was just dehydrated, and not suffering from an injury. Meanwhile, Steven Jackson, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, has started light workouts with the team's trainers. Freeman's fantasy utility this season is largely tied Jackson's health, though at this stage the rookie is still jostling for slotting on the team's RB depth chart with Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith.

Freeman, according to coach Mike Smith, was simply suffering from dehydration during Monday's practice, ESPN reports. Freeman left Monday's session early as a result of the heat, which he apparently wasn't properly hydrated for. The rookie running back returned to practice as usual Tuesday, so his health shouldn't be of concern as Atlanta's second preseason game approaches.