Falcons RB Devonta Freeman ruled a “full go” for training camp

Falcons’ head coach Dan Quinn proclaimed that starting running back Devonta Freeman will be a “full go” for training camp, after the five-year pro missed almost the entire 2018 season due to injuries.

“We can’t wait to get Free back,” Quinn told the AJC. “He’s having such an awesome offseason. 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 played in only two games in the 2018 campaign after fighting lingering knee, groin, and foot injuries. It seems as if those issues are now behind him, as the Florida State alum aims to start all 16 games for just the second time in his career in 2019.

At the moment, the Falcons look like they will deploy Ito Smith, fifth-round draft selection Qadree Ollison, and Kenjon Barner on the running back depth chart behind Freeman.

Quinn is aiming to add more of an emphasis on the run game in 2019, and the front office has certainly invested in that plan over the course of this offseason — they signed guards Jamon Brown and James Carpenter, as well as blocking tight end Luke Stocker, in free agency, and then drafted guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary in the first round of the draft.

Freeman figures to be a integral part of Atlanta’s plans on offense in 2019, and it’ll be very important that he stay healthy. Having him at 100% for training camp is a very good first step in that happening.

UPDATE (5/23):

According to Falcons’ ESPN reporter Vaughn McClure, Devonta Freeman says he feels “100” coming off groin surgery. Freeman legitimately does look like he won’t be limited come training camp.