Falcons running back Steven Jackson, who increased his rehabilitation and conditioning work with team trainers last week, appeared set to return to practice on Monday during the open portion.
Jackson, the projected starter, had his helmet, a sign that he was practicing. He has been out since suffering a right hamstring injury during practice on July 29.
Smith said he wouldn’t rule out playing Jackson in the exhibition finale on Aug. 28 at Jacksonville, though Smith’s usual practice is to sit his starters for that game.
The team has said all along that Jackson would play Week 1. With a recent injury history, he makes for a risky pick but should be available in the middle rounds of drafts if you want to take a shot. Jacquizz Rodgers has started all three exhibition games but never really took over the RB1 role with Jackson out last year. Rookie Devonta Freeman has been a popular pick as a handcuff to Jackson. Either way, owners should either draft Jackson as depth or have a backup plan...
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