Steven Jackson vowed this year would be an improvement for him after last season saw his consecutive streak of 1,000-yard rush seasons broken. However, things are not starting off as planned for the running back originally brought in to stabilize the Atlanta Falcons ground game after the departure of Michael Turner. With two younger running backs waiting in the wings, a recent hamstring injury is setting Jackson back yet again.
The Falcons announced that Jackson suffered a hamstring injury on Tuesday and would miss the remainder of training camp, but was expected to be ready and healthy for the team's first game of the season. Head coach Mike Smith noted that the injury is nothing majorly significant, but the team was going to play it safe and not rush the veteran back onto the field too soon.
Jackson's tenure with the Falcons has been a rocky one. The running back rushed for a career-low 543 yards while only averaging 3.5 yards per carry. He suffered an injury last season that caused him to only play in five games. He was expected to improve on that this season, coming into the season healthy, but the injury changes things. Now fourth-year pro Jacquizz Rodgers and rookie Devonta Freeman must step up and fill the void.
Jackson admitted that last season he read too much of his own hype after signing a contract with the Falcons. He was excited to enter training camp with two young backs that were looking to take his spot, confident that it would make him better. Now injured, the ground is on the shoulders of Rodgers and Freeman who will now compete amongst each other.
If Jackson looks like he will not be healthy come the start of the 2014 season, the team could make a trade. While unlikely, the option is there. The San Francisco 49ers could be sellers later in training camp. Right now the team has Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde healthy, Marcus Lattimore kind of healthy and LaMichael James and Kendall Hunter not healthy. However, James should make a quick return before the start of the season after dislocating his elbow. He is the better of the running backs possibly available.
The NFL Network also notes that CJ Spiller could be available for trades, but he would likely be too expensive for the Falcons considering they already drafted Freeman. With Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon on the roster, Spiller becomes the player to move especially with contending teams losing running backs. If the Falcons get desperate and feel a big move is necessary, Spiller could be the target.
Last season when Jackson went down, Rodgers and Jason Snelling filled in. However, Snelling has retired leaving just Rodgers and a rookie who has yet to really show anything. While Smith is confident this situation is not permanent, if a setback happens, the Falcons will need to fill the spot with someone.