Morris was criticized for not having Bijan Robinson on the field for fourth-down attempt vs. the 49ers.

Falcons HC Raheem Morris has called Bijan Robinson the best player in the NFL, so I asked him why the best player in the NFL was not on the field on the most important play of the game.
4th q.. Falcons with the ball down 3.. 4th and 1 from the San Fran 35-yd line pic.twitter.com/JsFRjLCHPl

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) October 20, 2025

There were quite a few moments that the Atlanta Falcons wished they could have back following Sunday night’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Whether it was having only 10 defensive players on the field for a crucial third down, or just falling apart when the pressure became too much, the Falcons clearly have a lot to clean up before next week.

However, with the game on the line, one questionable decision stood above the rest. Atlanta kept Bijan Robinson on the sideline for a critical fourth-and-1 situation in 49ers territory. Atlanta reporter Zach Klein asked head coach Raheem Morris why Robinson wasn’t on the field when the game mattered most.

“He had just run a 3rd-and-1 the play before and we got stuffed in the toss crack,” said Morris. “We’ve got a lot of really good players on that football team, we believe in a lot of good players on our football team. Looking back at it right now, obviously you want Bijan to fill in all the time, and you can easily second guess that.”

Essentially, Robinson wasn’t on the field due to getting stuffed on the previous play, and Morris was showing faith in the other players to convert. However, it is malpractice for the player who carries the offense to not be on the field for the biggest play of the game.

Had the Falcons converted, they could have potentially taken the lead with a touchdown or tied the game with a field goal. Even if the aim of the conversion is to not hand the ball off to Robinson, having him on the field in itself is enough to make a defense second guess.

While the team is rightfully being criticized, we have to remember that Penix’s fourth-down pass hit Drake London in the chest. A conversion was there to be had, but the Falcons just couldn’t make the play. There has to be credit given to the 49ers defense because without undercutting the route, it’s an easy conversion and then some.

So, while hindsight may be 20/20, theoretically the call worked. San Francisco’s defense just made a play. That’s the nature of football.