Falcons Place Brian Robinson Jr. on IR, Activate James Pearce Jr. Before Madrid Game
Atlanta loses its No. 2 running back for at least four games but gets its top young pass rusher back from suspension for Sunday against the Bengals
The Falcons placed running back Brian Robinson Jr. on injured reserve Saturday and activated edge rusher James Pearce Jr., part of a batch of moves before Sunday's game against the Bengals in Madrid.
We have made the following roster moves: - Activated Yasir Abdullah and Beaux Collins from IR - Signed Khalil Herbert to the 53 - Elevated Drake Jackson from PS - Placed Brian Robinson Jr. on IR - Activated James Pearce Jr.View on X →
Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons): We have made the following roster moves: - Activated Yasir Abdullah and Beaux Collins from IR - Signed Khalil Herbert to the 53 - Elevated Drake Jackson from PS - Placed Brian Robinson Jr. on IR - Activated James Pearce Jr.
Robinson had already been ruled out for Madrid with a hamstring injury. IR means he will miss at least four games. He had been Atlanta's main complement to Bijan Robinson, with 53 carries for 211 yards and four rushing touchdowns, plus five catches for 30 yards. To replace him, the Falcons signed Khalil Herbert to the 53-man roster, and Herbert now slots in behind Bijan, who has 780 yards on 5.2 yards per carry.
Pearce's activation is the bigger football boost. He comes off the suspended list after serving an eight-game suspension under the personal conduct policy, and coach Kevin Stefanski had said the plan was for him to play against the Bengals. He had 10.5 sacks as a rookie and finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. There's a catch: Pearce remains questionable with a back injury, so his availability isn't locked in.
Atlanta also activated linebacker Yasir Abdullah and receiver Beaux Collins from IR and elevated edge Drake Jackson from the practice squad.
The Falcons (3-5) are coming off a 16-0 loss to the Buccaneers. They face Joe Burrow and Cincinnati at Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.