Falcons' Devonta Freeman ruled out Sunday; Ben Roethlisberger returns to practice

The Atlanta Falcons will be missing another key starter for Sunday's game against Carolina.

Two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman was ruled out after missing the entire week of practice with a knee injury, another blow to a team that was already reeling from injuries to defensive stalwarts Keanu Neal and Deion Jones.

Coach Dan Quinn said he's hopeful that Freeman's injury isn't too serious. But there was a bit of uncertainty in the coach's voice when he spoke after practice on a sweltering Friday afternoon.

"We're under the hope that it's not a long-term thing," Quinn said. "When he can do the violent, explosive cuts that make him him, we'll certainly get him in there."

Freeman was injured in a season-opening loss to Philadelphia. Even though the Falcons had a 10-day break before their second game, the running back was not able to overcome the latest in what has become an alarming series of injuries.

During the 2017 season, Freeman sustained two concussions and a right knee injury. He missed two games and wasn't nearly as effective as the two previous years even when he was able to get on the field.

Freeman finished with 865 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, along with 36 receptions.

The Falcons didn't even play Freeman during the preseason, wanting to ensure he was healthy when the games counted.

Then he went down in the very first one.

While Freeman is again dealing with an ailing right knee, Quinn said it's not the same injury as last season.

"There's nothing structurally wrong," the coach said. "He got hit on it and it's sore. When it bruises up and gets sore, you can't explode on it. He's such a unique player, but when you can't do your stuff, you can't do it."

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger returned under center on Friday after missing the previous two practices with a bruised right elbow.

"It's always good to have Big Ben out there," center Maurkice Pouncey said. "He's fought through so many things throughout the years. He's a tough guy."

Roethlisberger did not speak to reporters following Friday's practice, but is expected to play in his 202nd game, second-most in franchise history. The 15-year veteran has missed just six games because of injury since the start of the 2013 season. He played a full 16-game schedule just once in his first nine NFL seasons.

Roethlisberger was a full participant on Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday because of his right elbow injury, sustained on the Steelers' next-to-last offensive play of overtime last Sunday in Cleveland when Genard Avery sacked him and forced a fumble.

Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Friday he expects to play both starting quarterback Marcus Mariota and backup Blaine Gabbert in Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

Mariota didn't throw during the open portion of practice Friday for the second straight day and was listed as limited and questionable on the team's final injury report. Mariota injured his elbow on a hit from William Hayes while carrying out a fake on a run-pass option play during a season-opening 27-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Whoever plays at quarterback will be playing behind a makeshift offensive line missing left tackle Taylor Lewan, who sustained a concussion in the Dolphins game and didn't practice all week. Right tackle Jack Conklin, still recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery on his left knee in January, is out as well.

The Seattle Seahawks have signed linebacker Mychal Kendricks despite his recent guilty plea on insider trading charges.

The Seahawks announced the signing Friday, raising the possibility Kendricks will be able to play on Monday night when Seattle plays at Chicago. Kendricks visited with the Seahawks on Thursday and a deal was agreed upon.

Kendricks signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns in June after winning a Super Bowl title last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Kendricks, brother of Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks, pleaded guilty last week to insider trading charges in Philadelphia. His sentencing is expected in January.

The Browns released him Aug. 29, after the charges were filed.