Jackson, who was released by the Falcons in February, recently said he is only willing to sign with a contender, ESPN.com reports.

Jackson likely has his eyes on a backup role with a top-notch team, but he may have a hard time finding the right fit. If nothing comes up, it's possible he'll retire, as his 32nd birthday is in July. Jackson averaged just 3.7 yards on 190 carries for the Falcons last season, and while he's unlikely to get that many touches in 2015, he may be able to find a decent team with a better offensive line.

Jackson was released by the Falcons on Thursday.

There was never any chance Jackson would be retained under the same contract, which called for a base salary of $3.75 million in 2015. It's possible the two sides will look to work out a less costly agreement, but it probably makes more sense for Jackson to move on. While far from the dominant force we saw in St. Louis, Jackson still offers a respectable combination of power running, pass blocking, and receiving skills. He'd profile well as a backup for a contending team, and he likely still has designs on finally playing for a decent squad. Jackson thought he would get his Super Bowl shot in Atlanta, only to watch the team go 10-22 over the last two seasons. As for the Falcons, in-house options at running back are led by 2014 fourth-round selection Devonta Freeman, with both Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith slated to become unrestricted free agents.

Jackson finished the 2014 season with 707 yards and six touchdowns on 190 carries, adding 20 receptions for 148 yards on 27 targets.

Though far from spectacular, Jackson was a bit better than the numbers seem to suggest, as the Falcons had a rather unreliable offensive line. Jackson managed just 3.7 yards per carry, but Jacquizz Rodgers (3.7) and Devonta Freeman (3.8) didn't really fare any better. Jackson has one season remaining on his contract, and the Falcons presumably won't want him back at a base salary of $3.75 million. It's possible the two sides will work out an agreement, but a split seems like the more likely result. Freeman should get a chance to earn an expanded role, and Atlanta may be interested in grabbing another running back in the draft. As for Jackson, he probably still has enough left in the tank to compete for a backup job, if he wishes to do so.

As expected, Jackson (quad) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Jackson, so good for so long, has been on just one playoff team (the 2004 Rams) in his entire career, but if he is to get to the postseason again, his teammates will have to get him there with him watching from the sidelines. Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman will handle the rushing duties for the Falcons.

Jackson (quad) is not expected to play Sunday against the Panthers, NFL Network's Albert Breer reports.

We'll verify Jackson's status as Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff approaches, but in his expected absence, Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman would be in line to head the Falcons' Week 17 rushing attack.

Jackson (quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

The Falcons aren't ready to rule Jackson out for Week 17 just yet, but he did not practice at all this week, so his chances of playing are not favorable. If Jackson is unable to go Sunday, Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman would split the running back duties for the Falcons in some fashion.

Jackson (quad) did not participate in Friday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Jackson has not been able to practice at all this week, which points to him sitting out Sunday as expected. The Falcons will provide an official update on Jackson's health following Friday's practice.

Jackson (quadriceps) wasn't present at Thursday's practice, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

With another absence from drills behind him, Jackson is upholding the belief that he'll take a seat Sunday versus the Panthers. If the preceding comes to fruition, Devonta Freeman is in line to earn the start, while Jacquizz Rodgers would likely remain in a complementary role.

Jackson (quadriceps) isn't expected to suit up Sunday against the Panthers, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

Because coach Mike Smith stated that recent pickup, running back Jerome Smith, will likely be active in Week 17, the Falcons' backfield would then feature three healthy options (also, Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman). If the preceding comes to pass, Jackson would take a seat with a potential home playoff tilt on the docket, if the Falcons can take down Carolina.

Coach Mike Smith said Wednesday that he's hopeful Jackson (quadriceps) returns to practice before the week concludes, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Jackson failed to practice to begin the week of prep, even though reports indicated that the quad injury suffered this past Sunday wasn't severe. In any case, the absence may have been precautionary in nature, which should be confirmed, one way or the other, by the release of Friday's injury report. If he's at all limited (or sidelined) Sunday against the Panthers, Devonta Freeman and Jacquizz Rodgers would aid the Falcons' quest for the NFC South division title.

Jackson (quad) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports.

Though previous reports suggested that the quad injury Jackson suffered in Week 16's game against the Saints isn't believed to be serious, it's worth noting that that the Falcons promoted running back Jerome Smith to their active roster on Wednesday, which could signal concern over Jackson's status for for Sunday's contest against the Panthers. In the event that he is limited or out this weekend, Devonta Freeman and Jacquizz Rodgers would be in line to see added touches in Week 17.

The quad injury Jackson suffered Sunday against the Saints is not believed to be serious, ESPN.com reports.

Per the report, Jackson should be available for this coming weekend's game against Carolina, which will determine the NFC South division title. Prior to suffering his injury Sunday, Jackson saw 11 snaps, running four times for nine yards and catching one pass for 14 yards. Assuming he is able to suit up in Week 17, however, it's plausible that he could lose some touches to Jacquizz Rodgers (who recorded 11 carries for 29 yards Sunday) and perhaps more likely, rookie Devonta Freeman, who ran five times for 36 yards -- including a 31-yard TD -- and caught three passes for 48 yards in Sunday's win.

Jackson (quad) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's matchup against the Saints.

Jackson exited the game in the second quarter, and it looks like the Falcons won't be taking any chances with his return. Look for a combination of Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman to take over in the Atlanta backfield for the remainder of the contest.

Jackson is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Saints due to a quad injury, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Jackson went to the bench in the second quarter, but the severity of the injury is currently unknown, as he's been given a 50-50 chance to return. Look for Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman to take on more carries than usual until a decision is reached on Jackson.

Jackson had 11 carries for 46 rushing yards and one catch on one target for 11 receiving yards Sunday against the Steelers.

Jackson's peculiar streak of only scoring touchdowns on even weeks since Week 8 continued, as he's failed to find the end zone in alternating games during that span. If the streak continues, he looks like a better fantasy play in Week 16 against a Saints defense allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game this season.

Jackson had 16 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown, adding two receptions for 26 yards on two targets, in Monday's 43-37 loss to the Packers.

The Falcons didn't completely abandon their running game in the second half, despite trailing 31-7 at halftime. While the runs didn't gain many yards, the team still managed to rally and make a game of it, thanks in large part to Julio Jones. Jackson pitched in with some tough running, and Jacquizz Rodgers added three carries for 20 yards and one reception for 14 yards, while Devonta Freeman lost two yards on two carries but gained 10 yards on two catches. Jackson doesn't have a high ceiling from week-to-week, but he's still getting most of the carries, and has scored a touchdown in four of his last six games. Jackson and the Atlanta offense draw a Week 15 home matchup with a sshaky Pittsburgh defense that has been especially vulnerable to the pass.

Jackson ran for 101 yards on 18 carries in Sunday's 29-18 win over the Cardinals. He did not score a touchdown nor see a target in the passing game.

It was a tough matchup for Jackson on Sunday, and he stepped up big, posting his best rushing performance as a member of the Falcons. Furthermore, it was Atlanta's first individual 100-yard rushing performance in 35 games, and snapped Arizona's streak of 21 consecutive games not allowing 100+ yards to a single player. On a somewhat of negative note, most of Jackson' damage came on a 55-yard scamper in the first half, but one can't necessarily punish him for ripping off a long run. The schedule doesn't look so bad over the final month of the season, and since Jackson sees most of the carries in Atlanta's backfield, he should continue to be a useful fantasy asset during that period. Next up for Jackson in Week 14 are the Packers on the road Monday night.

Jackson (illness) had 13 carries for 34 rushing yards and a touchdown, as well as two catches on three targets for 17 receiving yards Sunday against the Browns.

Jackson's touchdown came on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter, his third score in the last four games. While he has yet to reach 85 rushing yards in a game this season, he's the clear top runner in Atlanta that will get a majority of the looks from in close. However, things figure to be much harder in Week 13 against the Cardinals, who are allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game this season.

Jackson (illness) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Browns.

Although being limited to 41 yards on 17 carries by Carolina last weekend, Jackson will take aim a Cleveland run defense that is allowing an average of 142.1 rushing yards per game. Only the Titans and Giants are allowing more.

Jackson (illness) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Browns, ESPN's Vaughn McClure reports.

Jackson's illness kept him out of Thursday's practice but is not expected to hold him back Sunday. Although he was largely bottled up by Carolina last week, he should find many more opportunities for success against Cleveland's 30th-ranked run defense, which got steamrolled by the Texans' running backs last week despite Arian Foster's absence.