The Atlanta Falcons will soon kick off their preseason against the Detroit Lions, and fans are eager to see if their rising star Bijan Robinson gets Friday night’s spotlight. Here’s the latest on the star running back’s status.
Will Atlanta Rest Bijan Robinson in the Preseason Opener?
As of now, there’s no official confirmation that Bijan Robinson will sit out Friday’s opener. While Atlanta has opted to rest certain veterans, quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins are officially inactive, no similar statement has been made about Robinson. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris emphasized that this game is designed to showcase roster depth.
“We’ve got a young football team, so there will be a lot more people playing than we had last year. You’ve got some young guys out there that’s gotta go out there and show some competitive things. You’ve got some positions that are up for battles. We want to see some of those things happen.” Morris said on who will see playing time in the preseason opener.
The #Falcons are off today. Back on the camp grind on Monday. First game on Friday vs. #Lions. We’ll see if the starters play or will they try to mitigate injuries. The new defense needs to play together. IJS pic.twitter.com/HrSrN3DHWN
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) August 3, 2025
Atlanta is expected to prominently deploy its five-player rookie class against the Lions as James Pearce Jr., Jalon Walker, Xavier Watts, Billy Bowman Jr., and Jack Nelson will all likely take the field.
Robinson’s Status for Falcons vs Lions Preseason Game
The 2024 Pro Bowler remains active and off the injury report. Per reports, he’s regularly practicing at Falcons camp, where analysts note he and Tyler Allgeier continue to lead the running back competition, with Carlos Washington Jr. holding the current third-string role.
If Robinson does sit out, Allgeier would likely handle first-team duties, while the RB3 role becomes a live evaluation opportunity for Washington Jr., Jashaun Corbin, or Nate Carter.
Robinson’s presence influences more than just the highlight reels since he is considered integral to Atlanta’s offensive rhythm. Last season, he registered 1,456 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, and 431 receiving yards, injecting elite explosiveness into the Falcons’ attack.
His availability or absence will hint at Atlanta’s preseason priorities, whether health management or momentum-building. For fantasy players and roster-watchers, watching how the backfield shakes out this week could impact training camp storylines.
The Falcons’ preseason opener against the Lions is scheduled for Friday, August 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
