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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."
Through two games, Freeman has just 43 yards on 22 carries, averaging 2.0 yard per carry with a long run of 9 yards. Coleman has 112 yards on 29 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per carry with a long run of 20 yards.
Freeman was asked what he could do better moving forward.
"Everything," he said. "I'm the type of back that, I get in a rhythm. Once I get in a rhythm, I get going, get a feel for the game -- knowing how to cut, knowing how to make certain cuts. Just understanding defenses and stuff. When we run the outside zone, pressing the blocks better."
Freeman has seven catches for 63 yards, so everyone knows he can catch the ball out of the backfield. Now, he has to run the ball consistently. The offensive line's continuous improvement in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's outside zone-blocking scheme will help the cause.
After two weeks, the Falcons rank 22nd in the league in rushing at 80.5 rushing yards per game. The Cowboys top the league in rushing defense allowing just 53 rushing yards per game. They held the Eagles' DeMarco Murray to 2 yards on 13 carries in Week 2.
"Everybody's gotta be on the same page," Freeman said. "Once we start clicking ... I feel like everybody's still learning the offense. Once everybody knows what's going on -- how you're supposed to block, how you're not supposed block -- then we'll get things going."
Meanwhile, Coleman was held out of practice. Receiver/kick returner Devin Hester remained sidelined by the turf toe injury that kept him out of the first two games. Hester was prepared to miss multiple games due to the injury. Turf toe can take up to four weeks to heal, depending on the severity.
Julio Jones was limited during Wednesday's practice with what was labeled a hamstring on the injury report.
Jones experienced hamstring soreness after the team's 26-24 season-opening win over the Philadelphia Eagles. But Jones recovered in time to have a major impact in last Sunday's 24-20 triumph over the New York Giants. Jones tied Tony Gonzalez's franchise record with 13 receptions and gained 135 receiving yards while playing 59 of 72 offensive snaps.
"In other words," McClure wrote, "the fact that he remains on the injury report shouldn't be a major concern."