Falcons RB Bijan Robinson back on field, ready for McCaffrey role

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was back on the field on Monday for the first time since injuring his left ankle four weeks ago.

Robinson, Atlanta's top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, gained 1,463 total yards as a rookie. He said his ankle injury lingered from last season and is nearly healed.

"I was just trying to make sure I don't feel it at all before I come back in," Robinson said.

Head coach Raheem Morris said he'll welcome Robinson back when he's at full strength and expected him to be ready for mandatory minicamp next week.

The Falcons are operating a new offense with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, part of the reason Robinson was pumped to participate in a portion of Monday's workout.

He called Cousins a "top 10 quarterback" and noted the excitement level is up with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson teaching his new scheme.

"Having a guy (Cousins) out there and really show it, it's been fun to have him," Bijan Robinson said.

Zac Robinson played quarterback at Oklahoma State and was a member of the Los Angeles Rams' coaching staff -- where he worked with Morris -- for the past five seasons.

Zac Robinson is prepping Bijan Robinson to play the role of 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey for the Falcons. McCaffrey scored 21 touchdowns for the 49ers in 2023 in a scheme extremely similar to the planned approach of the Falcons, both derivatives of the Sean McVay-Kyle Shanahan scheme.

"I'm gonna be more of a runner that does everything else," Bijan Robinson said.

--Field Level Media