Steven Jackson rushed 11 times for six yards and caught three passes for seven yards in Sunday's 27-13 Week 8 loss to the Cardinals.

We hope that Jackson's hamstring wasn't 100 percent after not playing since Week 2. Because if he was healthy, this was a truly pathetic performance. The offensive line gave him very few holes, but he ran like a poor man's Peyton Hillis while trying to find them. Slow would be an understatement. The Falcons would have been better off sticking with Jacquizz Rodgers (four touches), but they gave S-Jax the veteran treatment and a majority of the snaps. The sledding won't get any easier as the Falcons are at Carolina in Week 9 and then face Seattle in Week 10. Jackson has the look of a borderline RB2.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Jackson will start and figures to get the majority of early-down work as long as his tender hammy cooperates. We can't project anything more than third-down work and a change-of-pace role for Jacquizz Rodgers even though Jason Snelling (ankle) is inactive. The Falcons will also be without LT Sam Baker (knee), leaving Lamar Holmes on Matt Ryan's blind side. The rest of the Falcons inactives: LB Stephen Nicholas, G Harland Gunn, WR Roddy White, WR Brian Robiskie and DT Travian Robertson.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) is listed as probable for Week 8 against the Cardinals.

Jackson participated in practice each day this week for the first time since Week 2. He's likely not 100 percent healthy and should cede most of the passing-down work to Jacquizz Rodgers. With so many teams on bye weeks and plenty of injuries around the league, Jackson is on the RB2 radar this week in Arizona.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) participated in Falcons practice for the second straight day on Thursday.

S-Jax practiced on a limited basis in his Wednesday return, and will likely remain so on Thursday. At less than 100 percent in an imposing matchup against the Cardinals, S-Jax isn't exactly coming back to a great situation, but is going to be in for a heavy workload. Considering the league-wide injury carnage at running back, he can be trusted as a low-end RB2.

Steven Jackson admits his hamstring isn't yet 100 percent, but said he's going to "give it a go" Sunday.

Jackson finally returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since pulling his hammy in Week 2. "I don't think any time after Week 1 you are 100 percent," he said. "But I feeling up to this point well enough to give it a go and be out there and be effective like Day One." S-Jax returns to face a tough matchup at the Cardinals No. 7 rush defense Sunday. We wouldn't expect a big splash.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Steven Jackson (hamstring) "plans on playing" Sunday against the Cardinals.

Jackson returned to practice Wednesday and will attempt to play for the first time since suffering his hamstring injury in Week 4. If active, he'll handle all early down and short-yardage work, with Jacquizz Rodgers remaining the preferred passing-down back.

Falcons coach Mike Smith expects Steven Jackson (hamstring) to resume practicing on Wednesday.

It's surprising after Jackson reportedly suffered a setback in Week 7, but the Falcons must have decided they couldn't wait any longer after Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling offered nothing on the ground against the Bucs. It's possible Jackson will get in a week of limited sessions with an eye toward being full go in Week 9, but the tenor of Smith's announcement suggested he expects Jackson to try for Week 8. Jackson's status will be updated no later than Wednesday.

According to FOX's Jay Glazer, Steven Jackson (hamstring) had a setback this week.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 7 against the Bucs.

Expect to see a lot of Jacquizz Rodgers, and to a lesser extent "big back" change-up runner Jason Snelling. It's quite concerning that Jackson still can't practice well over a month removed from his hamstring strain, and coming off of an open date. He's just an injured "stash" RB5 on fantasy rosters for now.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) remained sidelined at Friday's practice.

Coach Mike Smith admitted Thursday that Jackson's hamstring issue has "lingered." The 30-year-old doesn't appear close to a return. The Falcons again will go with Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling in the backfield against Tampa.

Speaking Thursday, Falcons coach Mike Smith said Steven Jackson's hamstring injury has "lingered."

You don't say. Smith also hinted S-Jax isn't close to a return, saying "when the doctors clear (him), he will return to practice." It's deeply discouraging that Jackson remains without a return date coming off the Falcons' bye week. You shouldn't count on seeing Jackson before November.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) remained out of Falcons practice Thursday.

The free-agent bust isn't going to suit up for Week 7, leaving the Falcons' injury-ravaged offense extremely thin. If Roddy White joins S-Jax and Julio Jones on the sideline, it could be a very long day for Matt Ryan.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday.

As expected. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday evening that Jackson's chances of playing this week were "not good." Jason Snelling (concussion) returned to a full practice. He and Jacquizz Rodgers will carry the load. Jackson's 30-year-old body is clearly breaking down, slowing his recovery time.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter considers Steven Jackson's (hamstring) chances of playing in Week 7 against the Buccaneers "not good."

As Ledbetter notes, Jackson hasn't resumed practicing coming off a bye. And that's never a good sign. At age 30 with 2,410 career carries on his overworked tires, Jackson has been maddeningly slow to recover from his Week 2 hamstring strain. The originally reported timetable was 2-4 weeks. He's well beyond that now. Fantasy owners can hang onto Jackson, but might want to consider anything he gives them in the season's second half a bonus.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) is not practicing Tuesday.

Coming out of their bye, the Falcons are getting an early-week workout in. And considering it's now been 4 1/2 weeks since Jackson sustained his pull, it's scary that he's not able to participate. It's yet another reminder that 30-year-old running backs don't recover from muscle strains like they used to. Expect another week of Jacquizz Rodgers starting and Jason Snelling mixing in.

Falcons coach Mike Smith was evasive Monday when asked whether Steven Jackson (hamstring) will resume practicing this week.

S-Jax is uncertain to practice let alone play, which suggests he's unlikely to return against the Bucs on Sunday. Look for another split backfield of Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling, with Quizz as the superior fantasy option. S-Jax's fantasy owners should continue to hold onto him, but have little in the way of expectations. He's got a ton of wear on his 30-year-old tires, and is coming off a significant muscle tear or strain.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's bye-week workout.

Jackson hasn't practiced or played since pulling his hamstring in Week 2. He remains optimistic that he'll be able to suit up when the Falcons come out of their bye against the Bucs in Week 7. Jackson should see plenty of volume if healthy as the Falcons passing game has been decimated by injury.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 5 against the Jets.

It will be his third straight missed game. Jackson has still yet to resume practicing and isn't expected to return until after Atlanta's Week 6 bye.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) has yet to resume practicing.

Barring a surprise return on Friday or Saturday, Jackson is going to miss his third straight game when the Falcons host the Jets for Monday Night Football. S-Jax is tentatively expected to return after Atlanta's Week 6 bye.

Steven Jackson (hamstring) was not practicing Tuesday.

Jackson is still waiting for medical clearance on his muscle pull. He is expected to be held out through the Week 6 bye, leaving Jacquizz Rodgers to lead a committee attack against a tough Jets front seven this week.