The Sports Xchange

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman, who suffered fractured ribs against the New York Giants on Sept. 20, may return to practice on Wednesday.

“We’re hopeful, we’ll probably be able to get him for sure some work on starting Wednesday,” Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said. “We are hoping that he’ll be back with us.”

With Coleman out, Devonta Freeman has taken over at running back. He had 193 yards from scrimmage against the Cowboys and 149 against the Texans, while scoring six touchdowns.

When Coleman returns, the Falcons still plan to split up the load at running back.

“It would some to a certain degree, but we have such good confidence in Devonta that he’s going to make the opportunities count,” Quinn said. “His toughness, his (ability to) finish. He plays with such a physical style with him. We have a heck of a one-two combination between Devonta and Tevin.”

Before getting injured, Coleman started against the Eagles and the Giants. He ran with a bruising style that may have led to the injury.

Quinn is not worried about his style of running.

”He’s just a physical player, who he dishes out a lot (of punishment) too with the way he delivers the blows as opposed to catching them,” Quinn said. “Both of them are real physical backs.”

–Houston defensive end J.J. Watt was very complimentary of the Falcons after they defeated the Texans 48-21. “They were a very good football team,” Watt said.

Watt, a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, had four tackles, one sack and two deflected passes. Falcons tackles Ryan Schraeder and Jake Matthews did a good job of Watt.

“They just played good football,” Watt said.

The Falcons were paced by running back Devonta Freeman’s 149 all-purpose yards.

“I thought he played well,” Watt said. “I thought he was a very good football player. Obviously when you score three touchdowns in a game, you’re a pretty good football player, so I thought he played good football.”