Devonta Freeman

Devonta Freeman wanted to be "the man" in the Atlanta Falcons' backfield heading into the season. Now, he'll have chance to show he's capable of maintaining the starting role.

Rookie running back Tevin Coleman, who started the first two games of the season, is expected to miss a couple games after suffering a fractured rib in this past Sunday's 24-20 win against the New York Giants. That means Freeman is preparing to start against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3.

"I always prepare hard," Freeman said. "Whatever coaches ask me to do, I'm going to do."

Freeman was in the lead for the starting role going into training camp, but suffered a more serious hamstring strain than Coleman did during the first week of camp, which kept Freeman out of all four preseason games. Coleman showed an explosive burst upon returning from his hamstring strain and carried that through into the first game of the season, when he rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries in a win against the Philadelphia Eagles. Freeman was pain-free from the hamstring strain going into the Eagles game, but had to settle for a reserve role. Freeman specializes in the passing game but should provide usable fantasy numbers with Coleman out of the lineup.