Bijan Robinson doesn’t just run — he glides. With footwork reminiscent of a Broadway dancer and breakaway speed that can flash past second-level defenders, the Atlanta Falcons running back has established himself as one of the NFL’s elite talents. That explosive ability makes him absolutely crucial to everything the Falcons want to accomplish this season.
However, Robinson and most other Falcons starters saw limited to no playing time against the Detroit Lions in a game called in the fourth quarter after Lions safety Morice Norris suffered a neck injury when he collided with Falcons running back Nathan Carter.
In just over three quarters of play, the Falcons’ running game managed only 22 yards on 11 carries. None of Atlanta’s top three backs took the field.
Will Bijan Robinson Play Against the Tennessee Titans?
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr., running back Robinson, wide receivers Drake London and Darnell Mooney, and tight end Kyle Pitts all sat out week one of the preseason. Expect more of the same approach in week two against the Titans.
Bijan Robinson is a human joystick 🕹️😮💨 pic.twitter.com/eKaAFlOMhE
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) August 7, 2025
The Falcons held joint practices with the Titans this week, and head coach Raheem Morris appears to be following former colleague Sean McVay’s preseason playbook. That means sitting most starters to keep them healthy for the regular season.
Keeping Robinson healthy makes perfect sense when you consider what he brings to the table. After a somewhat underwhelming rookie campaign in 2023, Robinson exploded during the 2024 season. His carries increased from 214 in 2023 to 304 in 2024.
His rushing yards jumped from 976 with four touchdowns in 2023 to 1,456 and 14 touchdowns in 2024. He also contributed 61 receptions for 431 yards and a touchdown.
That production made Robinson the second player in NFL history, since Edgerrin James, to record at least 1,400 rushing yards and 60 receptions in a season before turning 23 years old.
Bijan Robinson is too smooth 🥶
(via @AtlantaFalcons)pic.twitter.com/uD29bA6eEm
— ESPN Fantasy Sports (@ESPNFantasy) July 28, 2025
What Makes Robinson Critical to Atlanta’s Success?
Robinson’s health is a top priority for the Falcons. Penix is entering his first year as a full-time starter, which means the offense is expected to lean heavily on Robinson in both the running and passing game.
Robinson represents the foundation of what Atlanta wants to accomplish offensively. While the quarterback position remains the most important in football, Robinson brings that special factor that can break open a game at any moment, anywhere on the field. His agility allows him to cut back against the grain suddenly, creating opportunities that weren’t there moments before.
The Falcons use training camp to sharpen their starters, while preseason games help decide backup roles and roster spots. So far, there’s been no indication they plan to change this approach for week two. Whether they will work starters into the rotation during week three of the preseason remains to be seen.
With Robinson sidelined, backup running backs get valuable opportunities to prove their worth. But everyone knows the real show starts when the regular season begins and Atlanta’s human joystick takes center stage.
