It seems like the Atlanta Falcons will enter this Sunday's division matchup versus the unbeaten Carolina Panthers with one less running back, as rookie Tevin Coleman is uncertain since he is under the National Football League's (NFL) concussion protocol program.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said last Thursday that Coleman suffered the concussion after slipping in the shower of the team facility Wednesday, ESPN reported.
"[He] fell and hit his head, and he is in the concussion protocol. That's unfortunate," Quinn stated, according to the report.
Coleman began the 2015 regular season as a starter until a rib injury in Week 2 allowed second-year running back Devonta Freeman to take over the starting duties.
In 12 regular season games played so far in his debut season, Coleman has 87 carries for 392 yards and one touchdown.
The 22-year-old was selected by Atlanta in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Indiana.
ESPN added in the report that if Coleman will be unable to play versus the Panthers, undrafted rookie Terron Ward is set to take his place as the number two running back behind Freeman.
Atlanta's offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan praised Ward for taking advantage of the limited opportunities being given to him this season.
Shanahan also expressed disappointment in Coleman's injury but is confident in playing Ward this Sunday against the Panthers.
The Falcons are currently second in the National Football Conference (NFC) South with a 7–7 record and are behind Carolina, which is the only unbeaten team in the NFL this season with a 14–0 record.
Atlanta had a great start to the season, winning its first five games before struggling, which inluded a six-game losing slump which was only snapped last Sunday when they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Falcons are looking to reach the playoffs this 2015 after two consecutive years of failing to make it past the regular season.
