The Atlanta Falcons are rolling with Plan B at running back in Week 2.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Friday that starter Devonta Freeman, who suffered a knee injury in Week 1, has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
Quinn also told reporters that Freeman, who did not practice Wednesday and Thursday, is not dealing with structural damage and there is hope that the injury is not a long-term situation, NFL Network's Tiffany Blackmon reported.
Coach Dan Quinn just told us Devonta Freeman (knee) will not play Sunday. The hope is this is not a long term thing. Nothing is structurally wrong.
— Tiffany Blackmon (@tiffblackmon) September 14, 2018
With Freeman down, the versatile Tevin Coleman is in line to see more touches in a featured role. Coleman, however, is a different type of runner from Freeman, who is a physical ball carrier capable of gaining the tough yards between the tackles.
The Falcons also will have Ito Smith and Brian Hill, who was elevated from the practice squad earlier in the week, in reserve for Sunday's game.