NFL looking into Falcons’ handling of Bijan Robinson illness
Aug 18, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs off the field after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Falcons are facing some scrutiny from the NFL over whether they appropriately handled running back Bijan Robinson’s illness on the injury report ahead of Week 7.
Robinson barely played in Atlanta’s Week 7 win over Tampa Bay, with coach Arthur Smith explaining that the running back was not feeling well. Notably, Robinson never appeared on any of the team’s injury reports leading up to the game, raising questions about whether the Falcons properly reported Robinson’s status.
The NFL is now asking injury-report compliance questions to the Atlanta Falcons about when they knew rookie running back Bijan Robinson wasn’t physically well and why it was not reported, as per league policy.
It is standard practice for the league to question teams about a…— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2023
The NFL is very strict about whether teams are thorough in reporting injuries, though this situation is fairly complicated. Robinson said he began feeling unwell Saturday, which probably prompted the NFL to investigate, as that would have given the Falcons sufficient time to update the injury report.
However, the Falcons, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS, never had any doubt that Robinson would play, which may be their defense.
Teams are required to list all injuries, including ones that pop up the night before. However, there was no doubt Robinson would play Sunday. The "questionable" designation is for when the team, per league rules, is "uncertain if player will play." There was no uncertainty in ATL
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 23, 2023
Robinson did play, though certainly not anywhere near as much as anyone would have expected.
At worst, the Falcons will likely be subjected to some sort of fine if the league determines they should have reported the situation.