Agreed.
Why rish injury to your all-purpose, pass-pro, receiver out of the backfield, slash-and-go back who has a history of getting hurt? Minimize the risk, think situationally, think long-term in game planning and playcalling by beating up the linebackers and safeties early. Make the critical third and fourth quarters go better for the entire offense.
Use Freeman early as it appears (!) that he can soften up whoever he collides with; that's what punishing backs are for.
Use Freeman late to pound,to pound, pound, and eat up the clock; that's what durable backs are for.
