The Atlanta Falcons have high hopes for this season. In need of a big bounce back, the health of their players will be the key to the 2014 season. Last year, the Falcons got hit hard with the injury bug as they lost several key players for large portions of the season. Everyone entered training camp healthy and optimistic about getting into playoff contention, but injuries have hit once again and now doubts have risen over Steven Jackson and the ground game.
Jackson's tenure with the Falcons has not started well. The running back missed several games last season after signing on to be the stabilizing factor in the ground game. That failed to come to fruition, but the Falcons were hoping this year would be different. However, Jackson has suffered another setback, injuring his hamstring, and will miss the remainder of training camp, putting pressure on the remaining running backs to fill the void.
Atlanta has downplayed the severity of Jackson's hamstring, but according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, this is an injury that could linger well into the season, making the improvement of Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman crucial during training camp. Without Jason Snelling on the roster, the younger backs must make the next-level jump immediately.
Atlanta's run game has taken a tumble recently. They ranked 17th in 2011 and 29th in 2012 before hitting rock bottom last season. Jackson's absence will not help those numbers. Right now, Rodgers and Freeman are splitting time as the starting running back while 2013's darkhorse, Antone Smith, works with the second and third team. If Jackson is not healthy to start the year, Rodgers is expected to be the team's starting running back. He has been mainly used as a utility man, but has been garnered with more trust as he continues to improve.
Freeman has been earning early praise from the coaching staff as the rookie looks to prepare quickly for the season in the wake of Jackson's injury. Head coach Mike Smith likes the versatility being demonstrated from the rookie who's stock grew after Florida State won the national championship this past season. Smith is hopeful he can improve in blocking while helping in the passing game. If Freeman continues to excel in training camp, there is a chance he could open the season as the starter while Rodgers works as the second back and on special teams.
"I feel like nobody can stop me but me, and when the opportunity is there, you have to seize the moment every time," Freeman said, via the AJC.com. "I feel like I was going to eventually get to this point where the coaches throw me in the fire. It happened to be during camp, so I can get reps now. When live action comes in the games, I can try to be good at everything."