HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on after a fumble in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Two-time Pro Bowler's latest injury could force multi-game absence during crucial stretch of the season

This is not good.

The Atlanta Falcons picked up a much needed victory on Sunday afternoon, pulling away from the Dallas Cowboys to improve to 5-4 for the 2017 season. However, that victory did not come without a cost, as two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman left the game with a concussion.

On Monday morning, word broke from ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen that Freeman was unlikely to return for this week's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

In addition to that less than surprising news, Schefter also expanded to note that it "would not be surprising" if Freeman were to miss multiple games for the Falcons as a result of the ailment.

Atlanta is equipped with a high-end backup running back in Tevin Coleman and that lessens the blow of Freeman's absence to some degree. Still, it could be easily argued that Freeman is one of the ten best running backs in the sport and much of Atlanta's success (especially in 2016) was predicated on having two dynamic options coming out of the backfield.

More information on Freeman's condition will likely surface in the coming days, but reports like this after less than 24 hours likely foreshadow an absence that will not make things easy for the Falcons.