The Atlanta Falcons open the 2026 season with only two running backs on the 53 man roster: Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr..
Tyler Goodson, who it felt like had locked down the #3 job, landed on the practice squad instead. Trey Sermon went to injured reserve, while Nathan Carter and Cash Jones were waived. For a team that spent the summer building up its running back depth, that decision initially looked difficult to explain.
The biggest factor was Atlanta’s decision to keep four quarterbacks. The Falcons carried Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush and rookie Jack Strand on their initial 53 man roster. Cunningham described the decision as “a little bit of an insurance policy,” pointing to the uncertainty surrounding the team’s top two quarterbacks.
That choice had a direct effect on the running back room. The Falcons weren’t choosing between Goodson and another back because they believed the position needed to be thinner. They were making a larger roster construction decision, and RB happened to be one of the positions that absorbed the blow.
Goodson also wasn’t lost entirely. Atlanta kept him on its 16 player practice squad, giving the team a legitimate third running back it can call upon if an injury strikes Robinson or Brian Robinson. The Falcons also know exactly what they have in him after watching him tear it up during training camp.
The Atlanta Falcons may not keep just two running backs all season
The most interesting part of Ian Cunningham’s explanation is that the Atlanta Falcons don’t really see this as a permanent arrangement. He said the roster will likely change throughout the season and could look very different by Week 18.
If Penix proves he is healthy and establishes himself as the unquestioned starter, or if the team becomes comfortable reducing its quarterback numbers, another roster spot could become available. Goodson would be an obvious candidate to benefit.
There’s also a chance Atlanta eventually decides it needs more depth at running back. Injuries can change the equation quickly at a position that takes plenty of contact, and having Goodson already familiar with the offense (and making an impact on special teams) makes him a logical option.
For now, the Falcons are betting that Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson can handle the workload while Goodson waits. It’s a somewhat unusual way to construct a running back room, but the reasoning behind it is much clearer now.
The Falcons prioritized quarterback depth, accepted the consequences elsewhere and kept one of their better backup options close by.
If Atlanta eventually drops to three quarterbacks, Goodson could be one of the first players benefiting from the extra roster space. Until then, his presence on the practice squad appears to be less about his performance and more about the price Atlanta paid to carry four quarterbacks.
Add us as a preferred source on Google