Falcons Turn to Khalil Herbert with Brian Robinson Sidelined
The Atlanta Falcons will have a new face in the backfield rotation for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the undefeated San Francisco 49ers. With veteran running back Brian Robinson Jr. ruled out due to a hamstring injury, the Falcons have elevated Khalil Herbert from the practice squad to serve as the primary backup to star running back Bijan Robinson.
Herbert's elevation, announced Saturday as part of a series of roster moves, marks his first game action in a Falcons uniform. The 28-year-old running back signed with Atlanta in September after spending the preseason with the 49ers, who released him during final roster cuts. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Friday that Herbert would step into the RB2 role with Robinson unavailable.
Herbert's Path to Atlanta
Herbert brings a wealth of NFL experience to the Falcons' backfield. Originally a sixth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2021 NFL Draft, Herbert played parts of four seasons in Chicago, rushing for a career-high 731 yards in 2022 while averaging an impressive 5.7 yards per carry. He also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets before landing in Atlanta.
The 28-year-old Florida native played his college football at Kansas and Virginia Tech before entering the league. His most productive stretch came with the Bears, where he totaled over 1,700 rushing yards across his first three seasons. After a quiet start to the 2025 campaign with Chicago, Herbert was traded to Cincinnati before eventually finding his way to the Jets and now the Falcons.
A Timely Opportunity Against an Undefeated Opponent
Herbert's debut comes at a critical juncture for the Falcons, who sit at 2-4 and face a daunting challenge in the 6-0 49ers. Atlanta's offense has relied heavily on the Robinson-Robinson combination this season, with Brian Robinson Jr. providing a physical complement to Bijan Robinson's explosive playmaking ability. The duo combined for five rushing touchdowns in a Monday Night Football victory over the Saints earlier this season, showcasing their potential as a formidable tandem.
With Brian Robinson Jr. sidelined, Herbert will be counted on to fill that void and keep the offense balanced against a stout San Francisco defense. The 49ers enter Sunday's game without star defensive end Nick Bosa, who is expected to return after the team's bye week, but they remain one of the league's most formidable units.
Hamstring Injury Could Linger
Brian Robinson Jr.'s hamstring issue could keep him out for multiple weeks, making Herbert's performance all the more important for Atlanta's short-term prospects. The Falcons have not provided a timeline for Robinson's return, and hamstring injuries are notoriously unpredictable for running backs who rely on burst and change of direction.
In the meantime, Herbert will have an opportunity to prove he belongs in the rotation. The Falcons used a standard practice squad elevation on Herbert, meaning he can be elevated for up to three games before the team would need to sign him to the active roster. Given the uncertainty surrounding Robinson's health, that decision could come sooner rather than later.
Herbert's Performance Could Shape Falcons' Backfield Plans
Herbert's cameo against the 49ers is more than just a stopgap solution. With Brian Robinson Jr. in the final year of his rookie contract and Bijan Robinson entrenched as the franchise cornerstone, the Falcons' backfield depth will be a key offseason consideration. A strong showing from Herbert could earn him a longer look, either as a restricted free agent or as a candidate for a new deal in Atlanta.
The stakes are equally high for Herbert, who at 28 is looking to prove he still has the burst and vision that made him a reliable contributor in Chicago. His 2022 campaign, in which he averaged nearly six yards per carry, remains the high-water mark of his career, and a similar performance in Atlanta's offense could rejuvenate his value on the open market.
For now, Herbert's focus is on helping the Falcons pull off an upset against one of the NFL's last remaining undefeated teams. If he can provide a spark in Brian Robinson Jr.'s absence, he'll have made a strong case for a more permanent role in Atlanta's backfield rotation.
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