Falcons rookie running back Ito Smith, who was having a strong campaign, will have knee surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, coach Dan Quinn said Monday.
“He will have a procedure done this week,” Quinn said.
Quinn also said he did not believe that running back Devonta Freeman would return this season.
“I think it would be unlikely at this point,” Quinn said.
Freeman, the starting running back, was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 16 after suffering foot and groin injuries against the Steelers.
Smith served as the primary backup to Tevin Coleman following the injury to Freeman.
Smith, who was a fourth-round pick out of Southern Mississippi, left the 40-14 win over the Cardinals with 12:36 to play on Sunday.
He was listed on the injury report last week with a neck and then a knee injury on Friday. He was considered to be questionable for the game.
Smith played 29 of 67 offensive snaps (43 percent) against the Cardinals. Smith had nine carries for 34 yards and caught two passes for nine yards.
On the season, Smith had 90 rushes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. He caught 27 passes for 152 yards.
The Falcons were pleased with his production.
“I am happy with the progress that he’s made,” Quinn said. “Obviously, with Devonta going down, his role significantly increased. Like with any rookie there are some proving moments. That happened.”
Smith ran for 2,874 yards with 27 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Southern Mississippi. He also caught 83 passes.
The Falcons thought he’d fit nicely in their system and took him two rounds ahead of his projected sixth-round draft status.
Once Freeman went down, Smith’s role increased.
“I thought not only did he show he belongs, but this is the offense that he can thrive in,” Quinn said. “He can catch. He can run zone. He can make people miss. I think he’s got a good future.”
Smith will become the ninth player placed on injured reserve by the Falcons this season.
Brian Hill and possibly Jeremy Langford, who’s on the practice squad, will take Smith’s snaps.
“Brian will be at the front of that list,” Quinn said. “As we go through the week, we’ll see if Langford will be a possibility as well. But I’m not going to make those decisions as yet.”
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