Steven Jackson plans to play this week

Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson (39) runs with the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter against the St. Louis Rams at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy owners of Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson have been frustrated with the nagging hamstring injury that has kept S-Jax off of the field, but the injury has certainly hurt the Falcons even more. It has caused them to lose a workhorse, feature back for all but one game of the 2013 season, and that’s hurt the consistency and balance of the offense. Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling form a serviceable change of pace committee, but neither of them can run between the tackles or provide the kind of valuable consistency on the ground that Jackson brings to the table.

Recovering from a hamstring injury as a 30-year-old running back is extremely difficult to do, and Jackson has certainly figured that out. He played at a high level in Week 1, and the Falcons will be hoping that he can return to the field this week and play at a high level against the Arizona Cardinals.

It’s interesting to hear the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter report that Steven Jackson expects to play this week, because he reportedly suffered a setback on his hamstring last week. All the reports regarding Jackson have been positive this week, so expect him to play against the Cardinals until further notice. This report that Jackson plans on playing is the strongest thing we have at this point, and it’s enough for fantasy owners to tentatively start the veteran back.

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