NFL looking into why Falcons RB Bijan Robinson did not appear on injury report ahead of Week 7 game vs. Bucs

Despite not being listed on the team’s injury report, Falcons rookie first-round pick Bijan Robinson played just six snaps and did not receive a single touch during the first half of Sunday’s 16-13 victory over the Buccaneers. When asked at halftime about his running back’s inactivity, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said Robinson was “just not feeling all that great.” Now, the Falcons are being questioned by the NFL.

According to CBS Sports NFL Lead Insider Jonathan Jones, the league is looking into why Robinson was not listed on Atlanta’s injury report. As Jones points out, teams are required to list all injuries, including ones that pop up the night before a game. However, in this situation, there was apparently no doubt Robinson was going to play on Sunday. While he did play, he did not play much. Per ESPN, these kinds of violations have warranted fines before. 

Following the game, Robinson said that he was suffering from headaches and began “feeling weird” Saturday night. He struggled to sleep and woke up Sunday “feeling completely out of it.” He took medicine to try and feel better, but his head continued to hurt. He finished the game with just one carry for three yards.

Robinson, who entered the game as the Falcons’ leader in rushing and co-leader in receptions, had zero targets and zero rushing attempts during the game’s first 30 minutes. The Falcons and Buccaneers were tied, 10-10, at intermission. 

Head coach Arthur Smith was asked why Robinson was given the one carry when he hadn’t played all game, Smith deferred to the play itself.

“He was in a two-minute situation,” Smith said to reporters. “Gave us three yards and it was situational football. He changes how people want to call it and that’s why. It’s pretty simple.”

While Robinson was a bystander, Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson combined to have 13 of Atlanta’s 15 first-half rushing attempts. Drake London and Jonnu Smith each had three receptions in the first half to lead Atlanta. 

Robinson’s inability to play is a big deal for the Falcons, who pulled out the divisional road win regardless. Not only is he the Falcons’ most productive offensive player, he is currently top 10 among all running backs in rushing and receiving.