Chat » The Atlanta Falcons will be missing another key starte

r for Sunday's game against Carolina.Two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman was ruled out after missing the entire week of practice with a knee injury Julio Jones Jersey Boys , another blow to a team that was already reeling from injuries to defensive stalwarts Keanu Neal and Deion Jones.Coach Dan Quinn said he's hopeful that Freeman's injury isn't too serious. But there was a bit of uncertainty in the coach's voice when he spoke after practice on a sweltering Friday afternoon."We're under the hope that it's not a long-term thing," Quinn said. "When he can do the violent, explosive cuts that make him him, we'll certainly get him in there."Freeman was injured in a season-opening loss to Philadelphia. Even though the Falcons had a 10-day break before their second game, the running back was not able to overcome the latest in what has become an alarming series of injuries.During the 2017 season, Freeman sustained two concussions and a right knee injury. He missed two games and wasn't nearly as effective as the two previous years even when he was able to get on the field.Freeman finished with 865 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, along with 36 receptions.The starting spot is still in good hands with Tevin Coleman, but Freeman's injury deprives the Falcons of their 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Rookie Ito Smith, a fourth-round draft pick Cheap Julio Jones Jersey , moves up on the depth chart. Recently signed Brian Hill could also get some playing time.The Falcons didn't even play Freeman during the preseason, wanting to ensure he was healthy when the games counted.Then he went down in the very first one.While Freeman is again dealing with an ailing right knee, Quinn said it's not the same injury as last season."There's nothing structurally wrong," the coach said. "He got hit on it and it's sore. When it bruises up and gets sore, you can't explode on it. He's such a unique player, but when you can't do your stuff, you can't do it."In Week 1, the Falcons lost Neal to a season-ending knee injury, while Jones was placed on injured reserve with a foot problem. The Falcons are hopeful that Jones will be able to return this season Custom Julio Jones Jersey , but he will have to miss a minimum of eight games.Quinn said two backups also will miss Sunday's game: offensive guard Ben Garland (knee) and receiver Russell Gage (knee). Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is participating in the team’s offseason program and a full-go for training camp, coach Dan Quinn said Saturday.“We can’t wait to get Free back,” Quinn said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the . “He’s having such an awesome offseason. His energy, his juice, like him being around the team, you feel what he brings. “So it’s been awesome having him as part of the offseason program again. When you get to see the team out here this spring, I think you’ll feel the energy at running back certainly with Free leading the way.”Freeman was limited to two games last season because of knee and groin injuries. He rushed 14 times for 68 yards and caught five passes for 23 yards. With Tevin Coleman now in San Francisco, the Falcons plan on leaning on Freeman with Ito Smith also part of the game plan. They also drafted Pittsburgh’s Qadree Ollison in the fifth round and UL Monroe’s Marcus Green in the sixth Julio Jones Jersey Discount , both of whom could factor in at the position.Freeman rushed for 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns from 2015-17, earning back-to-back Pro Bowls with 1,000-yard seasons in 2016 and ’17.The good news is he did not need offseason surgery on his right knee, per Ledbetter.