In Week 7, the Falcons raised eyebrows for the way in which they handled their injury report. Specifically, running back Bijan Robinson was not listed despite feeling unwell the night before the game. That has now resulted in league discipline. 
The Falcons have been fined $75K and head coach Arthur Smith another $25K following the NFL’s investigation into the matter. Robinson dressed for the game against the Buccaneers, but he admitted after the contest that he was still battling headaches and an illness. The first-round rookie logged only 11 snaps and touched the ball once, a marked deviation from his usage through much of the rest of the season.
“There’s an inquiry and usually you have to respond with a letter. It wasn’t like a court case, it wasn’t a lot of time spent,” Smith said when speaking on the matter, via ESPN’s Michael Rothstein. “Here is how we interpreted it. Here was our intent. Nothing was done to try to game anything like that and I understood their point of view. So lesson learned there.”
With Robinson barely in the gameplan, the Falcons leaned heavily on Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson in the backfield. The pair combined for 31 carries and 115 yards, while Allgeier added 53 yards on three catches. That production helped Atlanta earn a 16-13 win, and Smith noted the effectiveness of the team’s other options with respect to the decision to keep Robinson sidelined for much of the contest. The Falcons have given Robinson 20 or more touches three times this season, but he has also seen less than 15 touches five times (including Week 7).
That fluctuation is in part a product of Atlanta’s depth at the RB spot and the team’s attempt to avoid overusing the highly-touted Texas alum. Robinson comfortably leads the Falcons in rushing yards with 801, and they rank ninth in the league in overall production on the ground (126 yards per game). In general, the 21-year-old has been a key offensive contributor since Week 7 in terms of usage and playing time.
The NFL has repeatedly levied financial penalties for similar violations of injury/illness reporting. As noted by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2019 saw a number of fines handed down to teams and head coaches for inaccurate injury reports. The Falcons and Smith have now joined the list as they look toward the final three games of the season.
Arthur just keeps digging the hole a little deeper…
The only reason the NFL cares about these minor injuries is gambling and fantasy.
Im sure there could be an angle for insurance reporting…but this doesn’t feel that significant to warrant a fine.
He did actually play after all.
Facts. Its all for gambling and fantasy ball lmao
Smiths another Assistant Coach elevated inappropriately who can’t lead as a head coach. Wish Blank would just hire someone with the charisma and experience to manage the team as a chess master on the gridiron.
Doesn’t look good right now, but was a hot coaching name at the time. I don’t think he should stay, but part of me would like to see this team with Fields under center next year.
2 months ago lol
Yep, need to parlay injury listings to validate the mafias betting odds.
This guy gets it
The only think Smith doesn’t suck at is sucking
Except the players you know officially are not going to play, just list everyone else as questionable. I am sure they all have some nicks or bruises. Problem solved.
I have a boo boo on my finger. Should I report it to the NFL?
Not if you can afford the ‘fine’ – after all what’s 25k
Another L for my team
Guy played and dressed and the team (coach) has to send a letter that their player has a cold
I would appeal and point out other similar incidents (I’m sure there are many)
This all getting ridiculous. Arthur Smith just needs to find a celebrity girlfriend. That will keep the league off his back. The overlords are are getting increasingly shameless.
Merry Christmas