Falcons RB Coleman has a fractured rib, no timetable for his return

Falcons running back Tevin Coleman has a cracked rib and will miss practice this week, according to head coach Dan Quinn.

The team would not rule out Coleman for Sunday’s game against Dallas. Quinn would not put a timetable of Coleman’s recovery.

The Falcons rushing attack got off to a good start against the New York Giants before fading over the last three quarters.

Some of that was related to Coleman, who suffered a rib injury in the second quarter that was severe enough for him to be carted off the field. He did not return to the action.

Coleman had nine carries for 32 yards, including a long of 11 yards and a 1-yard touchdown run. In the season-opening 26-24 win over the Eagles, he rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries.

Devonta Freeman took over for Coleman, finishing with 25 yards on 12 carries, including the game-winning touchdown run from 2 yards out.

Freeman and Terron Ward are the lone two backs on the roster. When teams cut down to 53-man rosters around the league, the Falcons were interested in running back Montee Ball, a former member of the Denver Broncos.

Without a rushing attack, Matt Ryan attempted 46 passes. The Falcons’ offense is designed around a viable rushing attack, which Ryan can buy time with play-action fakes, rollouts and bootlegs.

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