Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who missed most of last season, is a full-go for training camp, coach Dan Quinn said Saturday.
“Yep,” Quinn said when asked if Freeman would be ready for training camp, which is set to start in mid-July.
Freeman, who battled knee and groin injuries, played sparingly last season.
“We can’t wait to get Free back,” Quinn said. “He’s having such an awesome offseason. His energy, his juice, like him being around the team, you feel what he brings.
“So, it’s been awesome having him as part of the offseason program again. When you get to see the team out here this spring, I think you’ll feel the energy at running back certainly with Free leading the way.”
Freeman played in the opener and suffered what was reported as a knee bruise against the Eagles last season. He missed the next three games before playing against the Steelers. He rushed eight times for 32 yards, but didn’t look explosive on a 20-yard run after he got in the open field.
Freeman didn’t play in the next game, with what was disclosed as a groin injury. He also suffered a foot injury in the Pittsburgh game.
Tevin Coleman and rookie Ito Smith have taken over most of the carries, but have been ineffective mostly because of poor run blocking.
Freeman’s injury problems can be traced back to the final game of the regular season against the Panthers in 2017. He played well against the Rams in the wild-card playoff round, but was slowed in the divisional round against the Eagles.
He did not have offseason surgery on his right knee.
Freeman also missed two games in 2017 with a concussion.
After running for more than 1,000 yards in 2015 and 2016, Freeman finished with 865 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, along with 36 receptions, in 2017.
Last season, he played in just two games and rushed 14 times for 68 yards and caught five passes for 23 yards.
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