When the Falcons brought in Brian Robinson Jr. in free agency, plenty of people assumed they knew exactly what the move was: a cheap insurance policy, a physical change-of-pace back, maybe a steady hand behind Bijan Robinson. One game into the season, Robinson is already showing there’s more to his role than simply spelling the starter.
Atlanta’s 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opener gave Robinson nine carries for 31 rushing yards, but that line only tells part of the story. The 26-year-old was also a major factor in the kicking game, handling kickoff returns and giving the Falcons useful field position.
Robinson finished with 64 return yards on two kick returns, including a 40-yard runback. Zachariah Branch had a bigger return erased by holding, but Robinson still made his presence felt in a way that goes beyond the offensive huddle. For a team that kept only two running backs on its initial 53-man roster, Atlanta had little choice but to lean on him, and the coaching staff clearly views him as more than just Bijan Robinson’s backup.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Robinson, a 2022 third-round pick, started for three years in Washington, and the Falcons know he can carry a real workload when needed.
In Week 1, the game flow worked against him. Atlanta had to ride Bijan Robinson and chase the game with Cooper Rush starting at quarterback, which limited the chances for Brian Robinson Jr. to do even more.
Still, the Falcons should like what they’ve seen so far, especially with a matchup that could suit him even better. Atlanta’s home opener comes against the Carolina Panthers, who are coming off a 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears in which they gave up nearly 300 rushing yards.
Even Kyle Monangai, the Bears back with a similar skill set to B-Rob’s, topped 100 yards and scored a touchdown on a 61-yard run. That sets up a promising spot for Robinson to contribute again, both as a runner and on special teams, against a Panthers defense that was exposed badly against the run.
In Other News...
Michael Penix Jr Puts Falcons Quarterback Decision Back In Play
Michael Penix Jr. was back as a full participant in practice this week, a notable step for a Falcons quarterback still working through recovery and one that immediately brings the position conversation back into focus. Atlanta had Penix sharing reps with Cooper Rush, a reminder that the quarterback room is very much in motion as the Falcons keep sorting out how they want to handle the position going forward.
The timing matters in a division where every team is watching the margin for error. Across the NFC South, Todd Bowles has already made it clear Baker Mayfield has to be sharper with the football, while Carolina is making roster moves of its own, waiving cornerback Jimmy Horn to open a spot for linebacker Tyrel Dodson. For Atlanta, though, the bigger picture is simpler: Penixs return to full work is putting the Falcons quarterback decision right back in play. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Newton Just Entered The Falcons Quarterback Conversation
Cam Newton resurfaced in the Falcons quarterback conversation this week by making a public case that he could still help an NFL team, even after not playing since 2021. The former Panthers star, who will be Hall of Fame eligible next year, also took aim at Atlantas recent quarterback decisions while noting that no team has reached out to him, despite the occasional fan push to bring him back.
For the Falcons, it is the kind of noise that follows any team still trying to settle its long-term answer under center. Newton said he understands a return is unlikely, but he made clear he would at least welcome the chance to be asked, drawing a contrast with other retired quarterbacks who have found their way back onto the field. For now, it is more a reminder of Atlantas ongoing search than a true sign of movement, but Newtons name has a way of keeping the discussion alive. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Suddenly Face A Bigger A.J. Terrell Question Than Expected
A.J. Terrell entered the 2026 season as one of the most trusted pieces of Atlantas defense, but the early returns have made his spot under a brighter light than the Falcons probably expected. In Week 1 against the Steelers, he had a rough afternoon in coverage, with multiple catches allowed and penalties adding to the frustration, and Pro Football Focus had him graded near the bottom among qualified cornerbacks for the game.
Even with those concerns about both health and performance, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has continued to speak in unmistakably strong terms about Terrell, publicly calling him the best boundary corner in the NFL. For Atlanta, that creates a real crossroads: the Falcons still need Terrell to look like a shutdown player, but now they have to balance confidence in his track record against the possibility that the decline is more than just a one-game blip. [Read more 🡒]