Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Arthur Smith explains lack of touches for Bijan Robinson in Week 7

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/22/23

Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was missing in action during the first half of Atlanta's pivotal game against Tampa Bay for first place in the NFC South, leading to multiple questions about what was going on with the No. 8 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Robinson played six snaps during the first half and didn't record a touch.

Bijan Robinson in the first half:

- 6 snaps.
- 0 touches.

I have no explanation. pic.twitter.com/gnuXohWK8I
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 22, 2023

Falcons first half rush attempts:

Tyler Allgeier 7
Cordarrelle Patterson 6
Desmond Ridder 2
Bijan Robinson 0 pic.twitter.com/gDmxKuNkZI
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) October 22, 2023

At halftime, head coach Arthur Smith was asked about Robinson's disappearing act and said that the running back wasn't "feeling all that great."

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

As big of a game as their showdown with the Bucs is, it's unfortunate for the Falcons that Robinson is battling an illness preventing him from being a factor.

He certainly would have helped the team in the red zone. Three Atlanta drives ended inside the Bucs' 20-yard line with fumbles by quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Falcons have made it to the red zone four times today. They're 1-for-4 in the red zone. They're 1-for-4 with goal to go. They've turned the ball over twice in the red zone.
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 22, 2023

It's a fumble out the endzone. Tampa's ball at the 20. The Falcons' third turnover in the red zone. Second with goal to go. Three fumbles by Desmond Ridder today. https://t.co/TRBNbJ3Jd5
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) October 22, 2023

That's not to suggest Smith used Robinson particularly well in the red zone through Week 6. This season, running back Tyler Allgeier has twice as many red zone rush attempts (14) as Robinson (seven).

Because of that, and the team's misuse of other top-10 draft picks Kyle Pitts and Drake London, no one was willing to give Smith the benefit of the doubt when it came to Robinson's absence. It's a bad sign that everyone immediately rushed to blame him. Smith has developed a reputation for mishandling his valuable assets and just because he wasn't responsible this time, that doesn't mean he's out of the woods.

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