The Falcons’ depth chart took a hit Tuesday morning when running back Tyler Goodson was claimed off Atlanta’s practice squad by the Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL insider Aaron Wilson.
Goodson is headed to Dallas’ active 53-man roster after a summer that made him look like more than just a camp body. In three preseason games, he led Atlanta in rushing with 93 yards on 5.1 yards per carry, and he punched in a 49-yard touchdown against the Colts while showing off his 4.42 speed.
He also flashed as a receiver, finishing with 40 receiving yards and helping set up a field goal late in the Falcons’ preseason game against the Dolphins with a key catch.
That performance made Goodson seem like a strong candidate to make the final roster as a backup runner and special teams piece. Instead, Atlanta kept only Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. at running back and moved on from Goodson.
Because he was a vested veteran, Goodson was not exposed to waivers in August, and he chose to join the Falcons’ practice squad. Once the regular-season waiver rules kicked in, though, he became available, and Dallas moved quickly after losing Malik Davis to a season-ending hip injury in practice.
Goodson now gets a chance to compete with Israel Abanikanda for the Cowboys’ third running back job behind Javonte Williams and Emari Demercado.
His path to this point started with the Packers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent after his college career at Iowa. In his final season with the Hawkeyes, he ran for 1,151 yards and six touchdowns in the Big 10. He later landed with the Colts, where he spent three seasons and totaled 264 rushing yards on 4.9 yards per carry and one touchdown, plus 19 catches for 103 yards.
Atlanta’s practice squad now has rookie undrafted free agent Cash Jones as the only running back behind the Robinsons. Jones also made his case this preseason, posting 122 scrimmage yards across three games.
Ian Cunningham could add another running back to fill the open practice squad spot later this week.
In Other News...
Bijan Robinson Replay Added One Scary Concern To A Huge Falcons Day
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The concern came on a replay that showed just how close Robinson came to a serious injury after being rolled up on by Steelers players. It was the sort of moment that can change the feel of a game in an instant, and it added a jolt of worry to what otherwise looked like a statement performance for Atlanta. Raheem Morris went as far as calling Robinson the best player in the league, a nod to both his production and the importance of keeping him upright. [Read more 🡒]
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Falcons QB Situation Suddenly Feels Bigger Than Just One Bad Week
The Falcons quarterback picture already looked fragile coming out of Week 1, and now it feels like the kind of issue that can spill into the entire early season if it is not managed carefully. Cooper Rush battled through back spasms and still had to take the field, but the offense never really found a rhythm, and the two interceptions only added to a rough opener built around injury uncertainty.
Around the division, the injury report only adds to the sense that nothing is going to be simple for Atlanta in the next stretch. Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish avoided anything more serious after a back sprain, while the Panthers had their own concerns after a loss to the Bears, with Jalen Coker dealing with a rolled ankle and Bobby Brown with a bulging disc. For the Falcons, the larger question is not just who plays next week, but how long they can keep absorbing these hits before the quarterback situation starts shaping the whole season. [Read more 🡒]