FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney might play through a quadriceps tear, provided he feels better before Sunday’s game against Green Bay and the team gives medical clearance. But Freeney plans to be wise about the injury at the same time.
"It’s a day-to-day situation," Freeney said Friday without detailing the severity of the tear or which quad he injured. "It happened in the fourth quarter [last week]. It was a quad tear coming around the corner. You know how quad injuries are or any injuries are, it’s depending on how you feel as a player.
"You might have an injury -- depending on what team you play for -- and they may say, `Based on your experience dealing with this type of injury, dealing with this, we trust you, and we’re going to put you out there a little bit.’ Or, sometimes they say, `You know what? Let’s sit down.’ They’ve been great with me, and I’ve been working with them every day."
Freeney had a torn quad during the 2013 season while a member of the San Diego Chargers.
Freeney, officially listed as questionable, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was absent from the first part of Friday’s practice. He was on the field at the end of the session and had an extended discussion with coach Dan Quinn before exiting to the locker room. However, the injury report indicated Freeney did not practice Friday, either.
The seven-time Pro Bowler appeared to suffer the injury with two minutes left in regulation during last Sunday’s 33-30 overtime loss to San Diego. He came with a speed rush around the edge toward Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who got the ball out quickly for a crucial first down. Freeney pulled up a little hobbled and did not play the remainder of the game.
Freeney was asked if he might just tough it out, even if a quad tear sounds significant. The injury obviously is not a complete rupture.
"It’s not about being tough; it’s different healing things," Freeney said. "It’s a little bit of that and a little bit of experience. So, I don’t know what’s going to happen."
Quinn said it could be a game-time decision with Freeney.
"I’m still going to take it through tomorrow with Dwight and take him through the walkthrough and then see," Quinn said. "He’s made significant improvement. He was able to do some stuff today. So I’ll take him through tomorrow, maybe even take it into Sunday morning. He’s going to work out more. He did a lot today. He’s feeling much better. And then I want to go through the process with him tomorrow. If he can do, then he will. But I want to give him every opportunity to take it all the way as far as we can."
Freeney, signed to be a nickel rusher, has three sacks, second on the team behind Vic Beasley Jr.’s 6.5. When Freeney played for Arizona last season, he sacked Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers three times in the Cardinals’ 38-8 win over the Packers.
Quinn ruled out one player for Sunday with running back Tevin Coleman sidelined by a hamstring strain. Coleman’s absence is likely to mean a heavier workload for starter Devonta Freeman, who Quinn said looked "real crisp, real sharp" after being limited in practice Wednesday due to a hip injury. Both Terron Ward and newcomer Stevan Ridley will be active to back up Freeman, Quinn said.