Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman has been named the starter ahead of Devonta Freeman for Monday night's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Both players battled hamstring injuries at the start of training camp, but Coleman recovered in time to play in two preseason games.
"I just feel settled down and know the playbook more and where my blockers are going to be," Coleman said. "I'm expecting the hole is going to be there, so I'm just trying to sense it and feel it. Once I feel it, I'm going to take that hole full speed."
While Freeman was listed as the starter much of the offseason, a lot of times a new coaching staff will eventually lean toward the guy they drafted, and that could be a factor here. In the preseason finale against Baltimore, Coleman showed his explosive burst with eight rushes for 56 yards. New OC Kyle Shanahan did use a committee while in Cleveland, so Freeman will likely get some work, perhaps in the passing game, a place he excelled last season.
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