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BUFORD, Ga. (AP) — One week into training camp, first-year coach Dan Quinn is pleased the Atlanta Falcons haven't been hit with a major injury.
Hardy, a fourth-round draft pick from East Carolina who set the major-college career record with 387 catches, impressed Quinn while running routes for the backups.
"I was really thrilled with Justin," Quinn said. "He's got terrific hands, so for him to go and catch the deep ball and catch the winner in the 2-minute shows what kind of competitor he is."
Julio Jones, Roddy White, Leonard Hankerson and rookie Justin Hardy took turns catching passes from Matt Ryan on a variety of routes.
With Freeman and Coleman both unlikely to play in next Friday's preseason opener against Tennessee at the Georgia Dome, Antone Smith becomes the starting running back.
Ryan watched the last 30 minutes because the coaching staff wanted to take longer looks at No,Cheap NFL Jerseys China. 2 QB T.J,China NFL Jerseys. Yates and third-stringer Sean Renfree.
Though he spent most of his first six seasons on special teams, Smith had some highlights at running back last year, averaging 6.3 yards a carry on 23 attempts and catching touchdown passes that covered 54,Wholesale China Jerseys, 74 and 41 yards.
That doesn't mean the Falcons aren't hurting.
A broken leg ended Smith's season in Week 11 last year. The seven-year veteran will get plenty of snaps to show what he can do in new coordinator Kyle Shanahan's scheme.
"For him to have an injury and then come back and battle the way he did through his rehab,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, I was so thrilled for him tonight," Quinn said. "I really felt that burst. There was a draw, there was an outside run, catching the ball — a terrific night by him. Kind of a way for him to say, 'I'm back and I can play again.' "
NOTES: LB Brooks Reed, nursing a strained hip,Wholesale China Jerseys, watched from the sideline as the Falcons went through a two-hour workout at Buford High School. ... FS Charles Godfrey left practice early with cuts on his forehead and nose.
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, the Nos. 1 and 2 running backs, missed the team's annual Friday night practice at a local high school. Both sustained hamstring injuries in the last couple of days. |
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