Falcons’ Robinson says hurt ankle close to 100%

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson participated in practice Monday at OTAs for the first time in more than a month because of a left ankle injury.

Robinson referred to the injury as a “light sprain.” He said it was something that carried over from last season and started bothering him again when he began working out early in Atlanta’s offseason program.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris has said since the start of OTAs that he expected Robinson back for minicamp next week. Robinson ended up being ahead of schedule. He said he feels “close” to 100 percent.

“It was just like kind of feeling weird, like on the side,” Robinson said of the ankle. “So, I was just trying to make sure I don’t feel it at all before I come back in.”

Robinson, 22, carried the ball 214 times for 976 yards and four touchdowns last season as a rookie. He also caught 58 passes for 487 yards, with four touchdown receptions. The Falcons drafted him last year with the No. 8 pick out of the University of Texas.

In 2024, Robinson will have a new coach in Morris, whom the Falcons hired after firing Arthur Smith, and a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins, the team’s four-year, $180 million free agent signee. Robinson got a chance to practice with Cousins for the first time this week.

“Having a guy like that who is already, in my opinion, a top-10 quarterback [and] having a guy out there and really show it, it’s been fun to have him,” Robinson said.