Report: Falcons RB Jackson (quad) likely to miss playoff play-in vs. Panthers
Steven Jackson might have picked the worst time to miss his first game of the 2014 season.
According to an ESPN.com report, the Falcons running back likely will miss the club's season-finale showdown with the Panthers on Sunday due to a quadriceps injury.
At stake for the winner: an NFC South title, a No. 4 playoff seed and a home game for Wild-Card Weekend (Jan. 3-4).
In Jackson's stead, rookie Devonta Freeman (first pro rushing TD last week) and Jacquizz Rodgers presumably will split carries/touches against the division-leading Panthers (6-8-1). Freeman has 235 rushing yards this season and 22 receiving. Rodgers has 173 rushing and 154 receiving.
Jackson, who has rushed for 707 yards and six touchdowns, was on the verge of his first 16-game campaign with Atlanta. But the apparent quad injury, suffered in the Falcons' road win over the Saints in Week 16, seemingly has halted that accomplishment.
Now the veteran back will have to hope his teammates can pick him and get him back to the postseason. In his 11-year career -- nine years with the Rams, two with the Falcons -- Jackson has 15,051 yards and 77 touchdowns but only one playoff win (2004 wild-card round).
