This morning the Falcons announced a flurry of roster moves that included officially waiving Deadrin Senat and Tyler Hall. At the same time, Kaleb McGary was activated off the PUP list, and last but not least, the signing of free-agent running back D’Onta Foreman. Foreman is a bruising back and is only 25-years-old after playing in 17 career games with the Texans and Titans, carrying the ball 107 times for 421 yards and two touchdowns.
A former third-round pick by the Texans in the 2017 NFL draft, Foreman has a connection to Arthur Smith after playing under the former offensive coordinator in Tennessee last season. Terry Fontenot bringing in Foreman reveals a few different things. First and foremost, Smith and Fontenot are clearly not impressed with the competition down the depth chart of the running backs. Secondly, it reveals Smith’s type — a big-bodied, bruising running back. And lastly, the two men are staying true to their words of demanding competition at every position regardless if it’s a starter or a fourth-stringer.
Guys like Cordarrelle Patterson and Javian Hawkins likely won’t be competing with the recently acquired Foreman for a roster spot — even if Hawkins is battling for one. The former Texas Longhorn is essentially gunning for that backup role behind Mike Davis, which Qadree Ollison and Caleb Huntley are battling for.
More than likely, the running back room will be Mike Davis (RB1), Cordarrelle Patterson (RB2), Qadree Ollison (RB3), and Javian Hawkins (RB4). I believe the front office brought in Foreman for a specific reason, and it could be related to Ollison’s absence from Saturday’s practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today at practice, Ollison was in a yellow jersey, which generally dictates an injured or limited player. If it’s a long-term situation with Ollison, the Falcons need bodies to compete at running back — enter D’Onta Foreman. It’ll be an uphill battle for him to make the roster, but its still possible he gets stashed away on the practice squad.
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Photo: Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire
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