Falcons place RB Freeman in concussion protocol

Aug 14, 2017 - 5:11 PM Less than a week after becoming the NFL's highest-paid running back, Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons was placed in the league's concussion protocol.

Falcons coach Dan Quinn told reporters Monday that Freeman will not be available for Sunday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Freeman, who signed a five-year contract extension worth a reported $41.25 million last Wednesday, was forced to leave Sunday's practice. Quinn initially thought the running back was dealing with a heat-related issue.

"After taking him inside yesterday where we thought he had heat related (issues), he reported that he had some concussion symptoms," Quinn said on Monday per the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "So, we put him in the protocol for that. He'll be out this week. He may start practicing as we, but we are going to rule him out now."

Freeman played sparingly in Atlanta's preseason opener, rushing once for three yards and catching a 15-yard touchdown pass in a 23-20 loss at the Miami Dolphins.

No definitive timetable was offered for the return of Freeman, who is expected to be replaced by Tevin Coleman in the starting lineup against Pittsburgh.

The 25-year-old Freeman was a big part of Atlanta's run to the Super Bowl last season, starting all 16 regular-season games and leading the team with 1,079 rushing yards to go with 462 receiving yards on 54 receptions. Freeman had 13 total touchdowns.

A fourth-round draft pick out of Florida State in 2014, Freeman has amassed 2,383 rushing yards in his three seasons, earning a pair of Pro Bowl berths by going over 1,000 yards in 2015 and 2016.

Freeman rolled up 3,175 yards from scrimmage over the past two seasons, second in the league to teammate Julio Jones. He has rushed for 11 touchdowns in each of the past two seasons and has 29 total TDs in 47 regular-season games.