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Kyle Shanahan: How Will He Handle Coleman’s Return?

By John Buhler

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Kyle Shanahan has a good problem to have entering Week 5 at 4-0. How will the Atlanta Falcons OC handle the return of RB Tevin Coleman to the lineup?

Rookie RB out of Indiana University Tevin Coleman missed most of the game against the New York Giants in Week 2 and all of Weeks 3 and 4 after suffering a rib injury. He was the starting running back for the Atlanta Falcons at the beginning of the season. Coleman had an impressive NFL debut, rushing for 80 yards on 20 carries against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1.

-= Related: Devonta Freeman: 2 or More TD’s vs. Washington? =-

However, in his two-plus game absence for the Atlanta Falcons, second-year pro Devonta Freeman has emerged as an elite rushing force in the NFL. Freeman has scored more rushing touchdowns (7) than anybody in football through the first four weeks, six of the seven coming in Weeks 3 and 4.

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After Week 4 got out of hand when the Falcons were leading 42-0, Kyle Shanahan had the pleasure of playing many of his reserves. One backup that looked great in extended playing time was UDFA rookie RB Terron Ward. The former Oregon State Beaver rushed for over 80 yards and had his first career NFL touchdown on Sunday.

So how does Kyle Shanahan plan to allocate carries between Freeman, Coleman and Ward now that the Atlanta backfield looks like it’s near full strength? Does Tevin Coleman take back his starting role even after Devonta Freeman’s explosive last two weeks?

I think Shanahan will use all three tailbacks in some capacity on Sunday versus the Washington Redskins. My guess is that Devonta Freeman will get the most carries on Sunday (55%), with Tevin Coleman slowly getting back up to speed (30%) and Terron Ward getting a handful of runs as well (15%).

This 55-35-15 split between Freeman, Coleman, and Ward seems ideal entering Week 5. Kyle Shanahan likes to run the football over 30 times a game, if he can obviously. Though Atlanta will want to throw the football more against Washington on Sunday, expect Atlanta to do their best to get over 100 yards on the ground against a strong run defense.

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Assuming the Atlanta Falcons run the football 30 times on Sunday, here’s what I project the rushing totals will be for the Atlanta Falcons tailbacks. Devonta Freeman should get at least 15 carries for over 70 yards and 2 touchdowns. Let’s not forget that he will get another 40 yards through the air on check-downs from QB Matt Ryan.

Coleman will get 9 carries for around 35 yards in his return to the gridiron Sunday. Ward should get 5 carries for 20 yards on Sunday, possibly getting in the end zone. These are average expectations for these three tailbacks.

Perhaps two or all three of them eclipse these totals and Atlanta as a team rushes for over 150 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. It’s all good for Kyle Shanahan’s offense entering Week 5 with the Washington Redskins. Rise Up!

Next: Atlanta Falcons: 5 Players to Watch vs. Washington

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