30, his brother's youth football number, during his senior season as a tribute. To become a more balanced, every-down back he will strive to improve upon his elusiveness and agility, but as currently constructed, the big-bodied Ollison is an interesting fit for Dirk Koetter's offensive scheme. Brian Hill will continue backing up the top backfield duo of Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith.Ollison didn't receive as many practice reps as Hill this week, but the rookie fifth-round pick appears to have a chance of making his NFL debut Sunday.
Ollison joins the mix as a bowling ball of a prospect who shined as a redshirt freshman while filling in for an injured James Conner at Pitt, but then had two disappointing seasons before exploding for 1,213 yards on 6.3 YPC over 14 starts in 2018. Offensive line help.
Ollison is battling Hill, Ito Smith and Kenjon Barner for a backup job behind Devonta Freeman, but his first on-field audition didn't exactly qualify as a ringing endorsement. Devonta Freeman has generated career-low efficiency over the first two games of 2019 while averaging 2.2 yards per carry, but coach Dan Quinn apparently is content with Freeman, Ito Smith and return specialist Kenjon Barner constituting his backfield for at least another week.The fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh has been on the Atlanta roster all season, but he was a healthy inactive through the first eight games before filling purely a special-teams role in his NFL debut in last weekend's upset win in New Orleans. Of course, whichever of Ollison or Hill does suit up Sunday will likely be limited to a depth role behind Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith.The 6-foot-1, 230-pound bulldozer finished tied with Tony Brooks-James for a team-high 180 rushing yards this preseason, and projects to be on the roster bubble for the upcoming Aug. 31 cut-down date. Looking ahead to 2020, Ollison is expected to remain a low-usage backup option behind Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith (concussion).© 2005-2020 CBS INTERACTIVE.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.The rookie Ollison continues to be a goal-line vulture, now having accumulated four rushing TDs on just 18 career carries. Qadree Ollison RB ... Ollison registered nine carries for 14 yards, including one touchdown, and caught a seven-yard reception. Watch Grady in the action, and hear from a proud mama as the best of the NFC takes on the best of the AFC.With the conclusion of the 2019 season, we look back at some of our favorite moments with defensive players mic'd up.Kenjon Barner takes you through the 40-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers. It's time to get your popcorn ready because he has a lot to say.© Atlanta Falcons Football Club - 2019Safety Damontae Kazee tells his story about the first time he ran out of the tunnel by himself on gameday.Follow Thomas Dimitroff as he meets with the media during the NFL combine.Falcons safety Kemal Ishmael was wired for practice this week as the team prepares for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.Falcons linebacker Deion Jones had the mic for Sunday's exciting win over the Eagles.Running back Brian Hill was a hype man on the sidelines for the Falcons win against the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons' backfield remains the domain of Devonta Freeman and Ito Smith, while Kenjon Barner takes on a special teams role. He'll look to up his production against the Dolphins in next Thursday's exhibition clash.It always seemed likely Atlanta would add more competition for the backup job behind Devonta Freeman.
Ollison is battling Hill, Ito Smith and Kenjon Barner for a backup job behind Devonta Freeman, but his first on-field audition didn't exactly qualify as a ringing endorsement.