The quad injury suffered by Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson during Sunday's 30-14 against the Saints is not believed to be serious, and Jackson should be back in the lineup for next week's NFC South showdown against Carolina.
Jackson was injured in the second quarter and ruled out early in the third quarter. He had four rushes for 9 yards, and caught a pass for 14 yards before exiting. He played 11 snaps.
Jackson's injury did allow rookie Devonta Freeman to get more touches. Freeman, who played 24 snaps, responded with a 31-yard touchdown sprint in the third quarter that gave the Falcons a 20-7 lead. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter also showed a new wrinkle in splitting Freeman out wide as a receiver, which resulted in Freeman's 36-yard reception that helped set up Matt Bryant's 44-yard field goal.
The Falcons certainly want to incorporate Freeman into the offense, but Jackson's role as a physical tone-setter continues to be an important part of the game plan. He's also a veteran leader who has no issue with sharing the load with Jacquizz Rodgers and Freeman.
In other injury news, safety William Moore is expected to get an MRI on Monday after injuring his shoulder in the game and not returning. It appeared to be the same right shoulder Moore separated in Week 4 at Minnesota, an injury that kept him sidelined for seven games. Moore entered Sunday's game already dealing with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot. He played 41 snaps against the Saints before suffering the injury.
Cornerback Josh Wilson (hamstring) and safety Dwight Lowery (shoulder) also were banged up in the game, although Lowery returned. Javier Arenas played a season-high 30 snaps with Wilson sidelined.
Falcons coach Mike Smith didn't have many details to share about the injured players.
"Everybody's dealing with injuries this time of the season," Smith said. "Unfortunately, we had a couple of guys that left the game. ... We will continue to go through our preparations and hopefully get all the guys that are healthy out on the field."
Smith could provide an injury update during his news conference at 2:30 p.m. today.