The Atlanta Falcons’ top corner and running back may not play on Sunday when they take on the Minnesota Vikings.
This week’s matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons is a pretty important one for both teams. Home-field advantage throughout the playoffs is still in the Vikings’ reach and the Falcons are just trying to stay alive in the fight for a spot in the postseason.
It may a little easier for Minnesota to get a win on Sunday as Atlanta could be without two of their best players on the field.
Falcons corner Desmond Trufant left last week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a concussion and still needs go through concussion protocol to be cleared to play in Week 13. Atlanta also has running back Devonta Freeman currently dealing with his second concussion of the year and he has not played in the team’s last two games.
Minnesota Vikings
Trufant’s status for Sunday still remains up in the air and him not playing on Sunday would be a big break for the Vikings.
The Falcons’ corner is one of the best in the NFL at his position and Atlanta’s defense has been one of the top units in pass coverage (eighth-best) this season. It would be a pretty big blow to their ability to cover Minnesota’s dangerous pass-catchers if Trufant is unable to suit up this week.
As for Freeman, it sounds like he has a good chance to return to action on Sunday against Minnesota. Especially since the running back was on the practice field last week for the Falcons. Atlanta’s rushing attack has been fine without Freeman for the past two weeks, but him being on the field automatically makes their offense that much more dangerous.
Next: Rhodes preparing for very tough matchup in Week 13
Minnesota will be definitely be paying close attention to the Falcons’ final injury report when it is released on Friday.