NFL teams
Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer 7y

Falcons add RBs Stevan Ridley, Terron Ward to help fill void in backfield

NFL, Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons, who saw running back Tevin Coleman go down with a hamstring strain on Sunday, added two running backs -- veteran Stevan Ridley and practice-squad player Terron Ward -- to the 53-man roster Tuesday.

Coach Dan Quinn did not announce an immediate timetable for Coleman's return, but ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported Coleman is unlikely to play against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

"We just have to find out the severity of it and find out when his strength can get back,'' Quinn said of Coleman's strain. "Let's face it: He is a guy who can haul. He'll need to have full strength for him to do what he does.''

Coleman leads the Falcons with six touchdowns and has 564 combined yards. His absence should mean a heavier workload for starter Devonta Freeman, the league's eighth-leading rusher with 508 yards on 105 carries.

Ridley, a former second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots who rushed for 1,263 yards in 2012, is known as more of a straight-line runner with power. He provides another body for added insurance behind Freeman. Ward played in 13 games for the Falcons last season as an undrafted rookie from Oregon State. He knows the offense and can contribute on special teams, if needed.

To make room for Ridley and Ward, the Falcons released veteran linebacker and former Packer A.J. Hawk along with last year's starting center, Mike Person. The team also signed running back Jhurell Pressley to the practice squad to fill the void left by Ward.

The Falcons are 4-3 and have lost two in a row heading into Sunday's home matchup with Aaron Rodgers and the 4-2 Packers.

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