Falcons coach Arthur Smith shrugs off NFL inquiry into Bijan Robinson not being on injury report

Arthur Smith apparently isn’t worried about the NFL throwing the book at the Atlanta Falcons for not officially reporting rookie running back Bijan Robinson’s injury status last week. As of Wednesday afternoon, the NFL still had not reached a conclusion on the case that could result in discipline for the Falcons for potentially violating league rules for reporting injuries.

Robinson, who wasn’t listed on the injury report before Atlanta’s game at Tampa Bay on Sunday, was limited to six plays in the first half and only received one carry after informing the team on Saturday of issues with headaches.

The league requires that teams report injury-related status reports, which includes indication whether a player will play significantly less than usual. The Falcons didn’t list Robinson at all.

Smith, preparing for his return to Nashville and a game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, downplayed the matter during a news conference on Wednesday – and mocked reporters in the process.

“You’re talking about sensationalized things,” Smith said, according to ESPN.  “I understand outrage and drama sells. Guys, if you really understand how things really operate…there’s nothing there. So, I don’t know what, I haven’t given one second of thought about it.”

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NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday that the Falcons matter was still open, while allowing that in general “teams are very compliant” with the injury-reporting policies. The reporting of injuries has traditionally been of extreme interest to the gambling industry and its participants, and in recent years has increased awareness related to fantasy football.

Smith, whose team (4-3) is in first place in the NFC South, indicated that Robinson was expected to participate in Wednesday’s practice. Presumably, he’s on track to play on Sunday.

Although Smith had a dismissive tone about the probe, the NFL has an established track record of discipline for violators of the rule.

In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers were fined $75,000 and coach Mike Tomlin $25,000 for not accurately reporting the practice status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had nursed an elbow injury. In 2018, the league fined Miami Dolphins $30,000 and coach Adam Gase $15,000; and in another case that year, the then-Oakland Raiders were docked $20,000.