Terron

Ward

Ward didn’t do anything extraordinary on Thursday but he played well as a complementary back to workhorse Devonta Freeman. He’ll probably vanish when Tevin Coleman (hamstring) returns, but until that happens, Ward will continue to play a change-of-pace role for Atlanta.

Ward actually earned more carries than Devonta Freeman in the first half (4-3). Though Freeman got all the goal-line work, Ward made his presence felt with a number of nice runs including a 26-yard scamper about midway through the third quarter. That was the longest run of his career. With Tevin Coleman (hamstring) a long shot to play in Week 9, Ward will continue to fill a change-of-pace role for the Falcons Thursday against Tampa Bay.

There are no big names here for the relatively healthy Falcons.

Rookie Terron Ward has been getting first-team reps ahead of Smith even with Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman both out with hamstring injuries. The Falcons have been hesitant to give Smith a full workload since suffering a broken leg in November. The 29-year-old has just 29 carries in three NFL seasons.

As the Falcons routed the Texans 48-21, Ward piled up carries in garbage time behind Devonta Freeman. Ward will revert to third-string duties once the Falcons get Tevin Coleman back from his ribs injury.

It’s a quiet inactives list for a team trying to prevent the Panthers from going 13-0. The odds aren’t in Atlanta’s favor. Shayne Graham is kicking for Matt Bryant, who was officially placed on injured reserve.

With Devonta Freeman (concussion) inactive, Ward served as the change-up back behind Tevin Coleman, who recorded 17 carries. Should Freeman not receive medical clearance ahead of Week 11 against the Vikings, Ward would likely mix in for a handful of touches with Coleman as the lead runner.

An UDFA out of Oregon State, Ward finishes his rookie year with 29 carries for 95 yards (3.27 YPC). With Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman well ahead of him on the depth chart, there’s no guarantee Ward keeps his 53-man roster spot for 2016.

Ward was the backup behind Freeman with Tevin Coleman out. He played well, running through gaping holes set up by the Falcons offensive line. He shouldn’t be on the fantasy radar for Week 16 with Coleman likely to return.