Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson Sickness Triggers Sportsbook Refunds

Following Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson's limited showing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DraftKings Sportsbooks is refunding bets made on his performance.

The Atlanta Falcons are sitting in first place in the NFC South following their 16-13 defeat of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after an unusual set of events played out on Sunday. Not only did the Falcons score their lowest points in a win so far this season, but they did so without rookie running back Bijan Robinson. 

The former first-round pick wasn't listed on any of the Falcons' injury reports heading into Sunday's contest, and despite that, he rarely featured. Robinson totaled just 11 snaps and had one carry for three yards in the win, both setting season lows, but why?

As coach Arthur Smith revealed in a mid-game interview with Fox Sports' Kristina Pink, Robinson was apparently dealing with an illness that the Falcons rookie later said included a bad headache. 

The limited usage was so unexpected that after Sunday's game, DraftKings Sportsbook announced on Twitter that it would be offering refunds for those who participated in Robinson's prop bets for the weekend. 

"We will be refunding all Bijan Robinson player prop markets," DraftKings writes. "That includes single and parlay wagers where he was the only losing selection."

BIJAN ROBINSON UPDATE:

We will be refunding all Bijan Robinson player prop markets. That includes single and parlay wagers where he was the only losing selection.

Credited inside 48 hours, digital bets only, refunded in Bonus Bets.

— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) October 23, 2023

Obviously, for those who decided to bet on Robinson, it is a very welcomed decision after the Falcons gave no prior notice to gamblers or fantasy football users that their star rookie would be limited against the Buccaneers through injury reports. 

However, even better news for both gamblers and Falcons fans came later on Monday when Smith told the media that Robinson would be "fine" following Sunday's sickness. 

In Robinson's largely absent performance, the Falcons deployed Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson as their top two backs to limited success as both were held to under 60 yards rushing. 

The Falcons hope to get Robinson back on track in their next game on Sunday when they go on the road to face the Tennessee Titans. Kickoff inside Nissan Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.