Coleman Posts 2nd-Best Rushing Total for Falcons Player in NFL Debut

Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman started his career in impressive fashion during Monday's 26-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, with his 80 rushing yards marking the second-highest total in franchise history for a player making his NFL debut, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The third-round draft pick out of Indiana was expected to compete for the starting job with second-year running back Devonta Freeman, but both players missed much of the preseason due to hamstring injuries. Coleman made the speedier recovery.

It now appears the rookie won't be giving his starting job back anytime soon, after picking up 80 yards on 20 carries against a strong Philadelphia front seven.

Though his average of 4.0 yards per carry wasn't overly impressive, Coleman did prove capable of handling a large workload, and he notably picked up 20 yards on a 3rd-and-15 deep in Atlanta territory.

Known best for his breakaway speed, Coleman was viewed by many as the top home run hitter in a draft that also included San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon and St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley. Gurley is still recovering from a knee injury, and Gordon only gained 51 yards on 14 carries in his own NFL debut Sunday against the Detroit Lions.