While the Atlanta Falcons have struggled at times on offense this season, the talent — particularly at the skill positions — has never been in question. Along with Drake London and Kyle Pitts, the Falcons have one of the more impressive rookies in running back Bijan Robinson.
And many expected to see plenty of Bijan in Sunday’s Week 7 game against the Bucs. Head coach Arthur Smith had a different idea, and by that, I mean we saw no Bijan in the first half against Tampa Bay.
Robinson was not listed on the injury report during the week and dressed for the game. However, when the Falcons came out for their opening drive, Tyler Allgeier was the running back. This trend continued with Cordarrelle Patterson taking snaps as the second running back.
Though Robinson would line up as a decoy receiver for a few snaps, he would go the entire first half without a touch.
A look back at the Falcons’ injury report this week. Bijan Robinson has been a relative ghost to this point. pic.twitter.com/JZxgAh4cGx
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzATL) October 22, 2023
At the start of the second half, Smith was asked about Robinson’s low usage by the Fox broadcast, and the Falcons coach said that Robinson wasn’t feeling well.
Arthur Smith via the broadcast: Bijan Robinson "just not feeling all that great."
Don't expect him to play much more.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 22, 2023
That excuse didn’t do much to calm down NFL fans who were perplexed about the lack of Bijan. It was terrible news for fantasy managers.
