FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Falcons rookie linebacker Duke Riley is the only player ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
After suffering a shoulder injury in Atlanta's Week 8 game against the Jets, Devonta Freeman was limited all week. During Wednesday's practice, Freeman wore a black "no contact" jersey.
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Freeman continued to wear the jersey throughout the week, not because of his limitations, but rather his interest in wearing a black jersey at practice.
"He likes how he looks," Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said of Freeman wearing the black jersey all week. "It was more for Wednesday, he liked how it looks, he decided to keep wearing it on Thursday and Friday."
Freeman believes the black jersey gives him an added element of "swag" during practice, so that's why he kept wearing it all week.
"I like [wearing] all black," Quinn said. "Black is one of my favorite colors. I was limited but I came out in the white jersey. But then I was like, 'Where my swag at? I need my black jersey.'"
Freeman reiterated that he has no concern about his shoulder going into the game, saying he feels "100 percent."
Linebacker Deion Jones (ankle), defensive end Takkarist McKinley (shoulder), cornerback Brian Poole (shoulder) and defensive lineman Courtney Upshaw (ankle) all moved to full participation during Friday's practice.
With this being the first division game of the season, there was an added level of excitement in the Falcons' locker room. Carolina has already played two division games and is 1-1 in NFC South play.
"It's like you are playing your brothers," Freeman said. "We know them so well; they know us so well. It's real, real competition. I think it's that [rivalry] that you want; I like games like this."
The Falcons (4-3) and Panthers (5-3) square off at Bank of America Stadium at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
