Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier led the team's backfield in snaps in Sunday's win over the 49ers. But his 15-51 rushing line trailed RB Caleb Huntley's 16-59. Neither drew a target. Avery Williams claimed the only backfield target, catching it for 2 yards. He added 2 carries for 6. Allgeier remains the top play in a situation with a low ceiling and floor. The matchups get better in the coming weeks than the Bucs and 49ers the past 2 games.

Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier led the backfield in playing time and rushing work in the 1st game since RB Cordarrelle Patterson landed on IR. Allgeier drew 13 of the team's 24 RB rushes, totaling 45 yards but losing the only rushing score to Avery Williams. That came on 1 of 3 attempts for Williams. Caleb Huntley took the other 8 carries for 34 yards. Williams also claimed the backfield's only 2 targets, but Allgeier beat him 19-8 in routes run, according to Pro Football Focus. Week 6 brings another difficult RB matchup in the 49ers. Allgeier should be the RB target if you need someone from the Atlanta backfield, but don't expect him to crack the top 24 in our Week 6 RB rankings.

The Falcons are placing RB Cordarrelle Patterson on IR with a designation to return. According to multiple reports, Patterson had a "procedure" Monday morning. We're assuming it addressed the left knee that had him questionable entering Sunday and limited his touches against Cleveland. Patterson will miss at least the next 4 games, leaving the backfield to rookie Tyler Allgeier, Caleb Huntley and Avery Williams. Damien Williams figures to be in the mix as well if he makes it back from his IR stint for a rib injury. There's no exciting option in this group, but we'd bet on Allgeier as the most productive. A Week 5 meeting with Tampa Bay likely won't prove as favorable as it looked to Chiefs RBs on Sunday night.

Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson ran for 41 yards on 10 carries in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Atlanta trailed for most of the game, which didn't help. But Patterson also watched rookie RB Tyler Allgeier match his carry total. Patterson added just 1 target among 13 routes. Allgeier, Avery Williams and Caleb Huntley combined to run 11 routes. We'd like to see more separation for Patterson in at least 1 of the 2 areas -- especially the passing game -- vs. the rest of the backfield. There's some sell potential here, with proximity still to his big Week 1 and/or if he has big games in matchups with Seattle and Cleveland the next 2 weeks.

With Damien Williams on short-term IR with a rib injury, Falcons rookie RB Tyler Allgeier got his 1st pro action in Sunday's loss to the Rams. Allgeier matched RB Cordarrelle Patterson for the team carry lead (10), turning that into just 30 yards. He ran 5 routes but didn't get a target. Allgeier trailed only Patterson in playing time, with Avery Williams and Caleb Huntley factoring in behind them. Patterson ran for 41 yards on 10 attempts and garnered just 1 target (no catches).

Falcons Swiss Army knife Cordarrelle Patterson racked up 22-120-1 on the ground in Sunday's narrow loss to the Saints, adding 3-16 receiving on 5 targets. Damien Williams' rib injury certainly didn't hurt. Rookie Tyler Allgeier was a healthy scratch, and Avery Williams claimed the only 2 other RB carries (beyond the 2 for Damien Williams). Atlanta would probably like to limit Patterson's touches more than that going forward -- especially on the ground. But the team might not have a choice until someone else in the backfield steps up.