Falcons at Dolphins GAMEDAY Preview: Rookie Bijan Robinson Debuts

The Atlanta Falcons face the Miami Dolphins in each team's first game of the preseason, where Bijan Robinson will make his debut.

Atlanta Falcons fans, the wait is over.

The Falcons face the Miami Dolphins for the first of their three preseason games. 

Although, there's an argument to be made that the defense, which added Jessie Bates III and defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen among a litany of additional talent, should be exciting to watch. Let’s be honest. This game matters because it marks the debut of “third-string running back” Bijan Robinson.

Preseason games rarely give starters any playing time; luckily for football fans, Atlanta has decided to play it cute and make Robinson (the NFL drafts No. 8 overall pick) earn his way to the top of the depth chart.

Starting defenders such as multi-time Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb will likely be out of the game by the time Robinson’s number is called as veteran starts typically play a mere series or two in the first preseason game, but that should make this all the more entertaining for Falcons fans.

Many rolled their eyes when Atlanta listed Robinson behind Cordarelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier on the depth chart after Atlanta invested more draft capital in their rookie running back than any other team in the past five years. For those unfamiliar with college football, prepare to have your eyes opened when the Texas prospect gets to perform under the Friday night lights against NFL backups.

Going back to high school, Robinson has been a man amongst boys putting up video game numbers, hence why Madden rated him higher than any other rookie in the game to start this season. Last year with the Longhorns, he finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting and had 1,894 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns in just 12 games while playing against NFL prep schools such as Alabama.

This game might not answer all of the questions Falcons fans have about how quarterback Desmond Ridder will look as the team’s leader or how tight end Kyle Pitts factors into the offense after a disappointing second season that ended on the injured reserve. However, it will allow fans their first look at Atlanta’s rookie, who’s been touted as a generational talent.

Playing alongside Robinson will be a bunch of roster hopefuls trying to earn spots before Tuesday, Aug. 29, when every NFL team must cut its roster down to 53 players or less. Only then will the Falcons’ 16-player practice squad begin to form.

Here's a look at everything you need to know ahead of Friday's game...

RECORDS: Atlanta Falcons (0-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-0)

ODDS: The Falcons are 2.5-point favorites

GAME TIME: Friday, August 11, 2023, 7 p.m. ET

LOCATION: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL

TV/RADIO: NFL Network / FOX 5 Atlanta / CBS Miami / FuboTV (try it free)/ 92.9 FM The Game

TICKETS: SI Tickets

BETTING: SI SportsBook

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