FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Tevin Coleman has been named the starter ahead of Devonta Freeman for Monday night's season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Both players battled hamstring injuries at the start of training camp, but Coleman recovered in time to play in two preseason games.

In the preseason finale against Baltimore, Coleman showed his explosive burst with eight rushes for 56 yards. He admitted that he was a little hesitant in his first game action at Miami in the third preseason game.

Rookie running back Tevin Coleman rushed for 56 yards on just eight carries in the Falcons' final preseason game. Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

"I just feel settled down and know the playbook more and where my blockers are going to be," Coleman said. "I'm expecting the hole is going to be there, so I'm just trying to sense it and feel it. Once I feel it, I'm going to take that hole full speed."

Freeman, who did not play in the four preseason games, expected the switch to Coleman all along.

"When you don't get reps in the game the whole preseason -- and I've been missing practice and stuff like that -- he's supposed to be in there," Freeman said. "It's just one day at a time. ... I'm still getting healthy and stuff. I've just got to wait and see how I feel on Monday."

Freeman expects to face the Eagles despite his recovery.

"I'm going to play on Monday," he said with emphasis.

The Falcons entered the season expecting both Coleman and Freeman to contribute heavily in the offense under coordinator Kyle Shanahan. A new outside zone blocking scheme has been implemented, although the Falcons are still trying to find the right chemistry along the offensive line. A new starting center was named Tuesday in Mike Person after the team released Joe Hawley.

Last year, the Falcons finished 24th in the league in rushing at 93.6 yards per game. The team is hopeful for much improvement with the tandem of Coleman and Freeman, regardless which player starts.

"It's going to be something special, me and Devonta," Coleman said. "When we get healthy and we get back, we're going to be dangerous out there. I'm just going to be excited working out there and competing every day with Devonta making me better and me making Devonta better. We're just going to go out there and do what we do."