Atlanta Falcons Overcome Bijan Robinson's 'Absence' vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith explained running back Bijan Robinson's lack of usage following Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Atlanta Falcons (4-3) marched into Raymond James Stadium and claimed the lead of the NFC South on Sunday afternoon, taking a 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3) by way of Younghoe Koo's last-second game-winning field goal.

But one of the game's biggest storylines had little to do with on-field action.

Instead, perhaps the most prominent question was this: "What's going on with Bijan Robinson?"

Atlanta's rookie phenom running back and top-10 draft pick didn't get his first touch until the game's penultimate offensive snap, gaining three yards on a handoff while the Falcons tried to take time off the clock and set up Koo's kick.

So, why the lack of usage? Here's what Falcons coach Arthur Smith told reporters postgame ...

"As we got through warmups and early on, just wasn't feeling like himself," Smith said. "So, he played, but we weren't going to overdo it. Just being cautious, and we're not going to ever - when you have other guys that can go, we're a team."

Robinson later informed the media he was dealing with a bad headache that began Saturday night.

"It was feeling weird, and then woke up just completely out of it," Robinson said. "I was trying to get some medicine so I can be good for the game, but my head was hurting bad. I don't know what was going on. I tried to go pre-game, but coach Smith was just (like) 'you'll be alright, get you right for next week.'"

In place of Robinson, much of the workload went to running backs Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson, reminiscent of Atlanta's rushing attack from last season.

Allgeier, who broke the Falcons' rookie rushing record last year with 1,035 yards, saw a season-high 21 carries and gained 59 yards, mustering only 2.8 yards per carry but had several solid pickups.

The 2022 fifth-round pick also contributed as a receiver, catching all three of his targets for 53 yards, headlined by a 47-yard pickup in the fourth quarter while executing the scramble drill with quarterback Desmond Ridder.

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier carries the ball Sunday, Oct. 22, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers / USA Today Sports

It's Allgeier's third straight game with double-digit carries after seeing seven apiece in Weeks 3 and 4.

Since his 15-carry, 75-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, Allgeier hasn't averaged more than four yards per carry in a game - but his 112 all-purpose yards in Tampa were a key reason why the Falcons walked away victorious.

Patterson's another reason, with the 32-year-old Swiss army knife taking his first big role of the season and offering a reminder as to why Smith holds his abilities in such high regards.

Used largely as a complement to Allgeier, Patterson took 10 carries for 56 yards, an average of 5.6 yards per attempt. Over half of Patterson's yards (29) came on three fourth quarter runs.

After missing the season's first three weeks with a thigh injury, Patterson debuted against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 but played only one offensive snap. He played five such snaps in Week 5 and 10 in Week 6, as Atlanta eased him back into the fold.

Allgeier and Patterson combined for 115 yards on 31 carries, which would've been the Falcons' best rushing performance in the past three weeks anyways.

But with Robinson out, Ridder's legs were incorporated into the game plan, and the 24-year-old picked up 38 yards and a touchdown on six attempts. He nearly had another score in the fourth quarter but fumbled just shy of the goal line.

Altogether, Atlanta's 156 rushing yards were its second most of the season, trailing only a 211-yard performance in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.

Smith acknowledged after the game there were things set in place for Robinson, but the Falcons adjusted well in his absence and managed to have one of their most balanced offensive outings this year.

"That's what coaching is - you've got to have plans, you've got to have contingency plans, and as the game goes, you've got to adapt," Smith said. "CP, I thought he ran the ball extremely well today. So did Tyler.

"And so, we didn't feel like we had to push (Robinson) more than he needed to go, and we found a way to get a win."

The Buccaneers entered Sunday with the NFL's seventh-best rushing defense, allowing only 83.8 yards per game on the ground. Atlanta's rushing offense was in a rut, looking little like last year's third-ranked unit.

With Robinson's role almost entirely reduced, odds were stacked against the Falcons - but they came, saw and conquered en route to the top of the division.

Will they have to do the same next Sunday against the Tennessee Titans? Smith's not quite sure - but Robinson's issue doesn't appear to be anything troubling long term.

"We'll just have to continue to see," Smith said. "Monitor it tonight, tomorrow. I'll have a better answer for you tomorrow."

The Titans and first-place Falcons will kick off at 1 p.m. next Sunday inside Nissan Stadium.