Falcons RB Ito Smith needs knee surgery and will be placed on IR, HC Dan Quinn said Monday. No word on Smith's exact injury or how long he'll be sidelined. His absence leaves Tevin Coleman and Brian Hill as the only RBs on Atlanta's roster -- although Quinn said he'd consider promoting Jeremy Langford from the practice squad. Either way, Coleman is looking at a hefty workload these final 2 weeks.

The Falcons released RB Ito Smith. A replacement-level player, Smith has averaged just 3.9 yards per carry and 5.7 yards per catch over 3 NFL seasons. His departure, though, leaves Atlanta with only RBs Mike Davis, Qadree Ollison and Tony Brooks-James. The Falcons are an obvious candidate to add a RB in the draft. But if they don't, Davis would be set up for a heavy workload.

Falcons RB Ito Smith (neck) is out for Sunday's game against the Saints. Brian Hill will step in as Atlanta's #2 RB, but Smith's absence is an upgrade for Devonta Freeman. In 2 full games without Smith this season, Freeman has averaged 14.5 carries and 6 targets. Those marks drop to 12.2 carries and 5 targets with Smith.

Falcons RB Ito Smith (neck) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. That doesn't bode well for his chances of playing against the Saints this weekend. Smith's absence would be a boost to RB Devonta Freeman's fantasy stock.

Falcons HC Dan Quinn said Monday that RB Ito Smith has been diagnosed with a concussion and won't play against the Seahawks this weekend. We'll see if he can get cleared after Atlanta's Week 9 bye. Brian Hill will step in as the #2 back on Sunday, but RB Devonta Freeman should dominate backfield work.

Falcons RB Ito Smith was knocked out in the 1st half of today’s game against the Rams with what ESPN’s Vaughn McClure reports is a stinger. “Should be good,” McClure adds. We’ll keep an eye on Smith coming week.