ATLANTA—There's an old adage in NFL circles regarding midweek practices: Dont' be a hero on Wednesday.
What does it mean? Simply put, if you're hurting or still very sore four days from kickoff ... make sure to take it easy on the first day of game-plan installation.
Namely, mental repetitions are just as important as physical reps.
As such, when Devonta Freeman missed the Falcons' Wednesday practice, it wasn't viewed as anything beyond a precautionary move.
The NFL injury report was full of stars sidelined on this day.
Well, things just got interesting for Sunday, now that Freeman has missed consecutive days of practice, nursing the effects of an apparent knee injury.
Could this be a case of much to do about nothing, leading up to the Falcons' home opener? Perhaps.
But the city's already gripping about Atlanta's 0-1 record for this Super Bowl-hype season ... and a Freeman absence wouldn't necessarily quell those fears of an 0-2 start—which would reflexively bump Carolina to 2-0.
If Freeman (three-year average of nearly 1,500 total yards/12 TDs) cannot go on Sunday, the majority of rushing/receiving reps would fall to Tevin Coleman, who's playing for a big free-agent contract next season.
Just one week into the regular season, the Falcons have already placed two defensive starters on injured reserve: Linebacker Deion Jones (could return in November) and safety Keanu Neal (done for the year).
Stay tuned to 11Alive Sports for more reports on Freeman's injury situation.
