A few of you may need forgotten about Jalen Hurts’ “flu recreation” from earlier this season. There was a little bit of controversy with that Week 3 Monday Evening Soccer recreation, as a result of that information was not on the Philadelphia Eagles’ harm report. As a substitute, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it at halftime. Sunday introduced us a repeat wherein Bijan Robinson was unwell on Sunday and the Atlanta Falcons didn’t make that data public once they put out their inactives checklist.
A significant distinction in these conditions is that Hurts took each single snap through the Eagles’ 25-11 victory towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robinson solely performed six snaps within the first half towards the Falcons’ Week 7, 16-13, win towards the Bucs, and his sole carry got here within the fourth quarter. He mentioned after the sport that he was coping with a headache, and that it started on Saturday evening.
The primary query requested of Falcons head coach Arthur Smith throughout his postgame press convention was about Robinson’s well being. He claimed that they seen that Robinson was feeling off simply previous to the beginning of the sport.
“As we received by warmups and early on, simply wasn’t feeling like himself,” Smith mentioned to the media following the Falcons’ 16-13 win towards theBuccaneers. “So he performed, however we weren’t gonna overdo it. Simply being cautious…when you have got different guys that may go, you already know, we’re a workforce.”
Smith’s rationalization definitely won’t fulfill Falcons followers, fantasy soccer gamers with Robinson on their roster, or bettors with actual reside cash staked on Robinson and the Falcons’ efficiency. These teams haven’t any authority over the Falcons, in contrast to the NFL league workplace, which is properly conscious of simply how a lot playing and fantasy sports activities means to the league’s reputation. PFT’s Mike Florio was knowledgeable following the Eagles’ Week 2 win, that “until gamers missed apply or could be restricted in any method,” they don’t have to be included on the harm report.
Technically, Hurts was not restricted in Week 2. He might have been enjoying by discomfort, however nothing that stored him off of the sphere at any level. The Falcons although, might have some inquiries to reply.
Robinson went by warmups and spent the whole recreation in full uniform, but he was used sparingly. That appears to be the very definition of restricted. In a world wherein playing is now largely authorized, and Jimmy “The Greek” was on NFL broadcasts many years in the past whereas additionally writing sports activities betting columns, groups should at all times be clear about participant availability.
A significant motive why groups are required to make that data is to keep away from even a whisper within the distance about an integrity of the sport subject. The unfold on Sunday’s recreation was -3.5 Buccaneers. Disclosing that Robinson was unwell would doubtless have resulted in a rush of late wagers. With that data being withheld from the general public, a reputable query is, why?
Robinson and Smith answered why the operating again was restricted on Sunday, however not till after the sport. Robinson mentioned that he was unwell getting into Raymond James Stadium. There was loads of time for that data to return out with the Falcons’ inactive checklist. All they needed to say was Robinson was not feeling properly, and that they might resolve after warmups how a lot he would play.
As a substitute, all of social media was buzzing about Robinson not getting the ball. The league completely wants to analyze why his situation was not reported sooner, at minimal for look’s sake.
