On Friday, the NFL handed out fines to both the Atlanta Falcons and head coach Arthur Smith for violating the injury report policy during the team’s Week 7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Falcons were fined $75,000 while Smith was fined another $25,000 for failing to accurately disclose running back Bijan Robinson‘s injury status. Robinson received just one carry in Week 7 due to what he described as a severe headache.
Smith hasn’t been the most forthcoming when it comes to injuries this season, and Friday’s fine is just the latest example. Fans on Twitter had a lot to say about Smith’s lack of transparency, with some calling it a fireable offense.
Interesting. Arthur Smith “forgets” to include important players on the injury report AND the game plan https://t.co/UQWTNvy8uG
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) December 22, 2023
That will certainly send a message! https://t.co/W0i5BrlDDT pic.twitter.com/H72twASbI4
— Mike 🥪 (@DaddysHomeFF) December 22, 2023
This, after Smith ripped into beat reporters who questioned the team’s suspect injury report and told them that they just have no idea how the NFL works. https://t.co/16dBsf4ruR
— Matthew Freedman (@MattFtheOracle) December 22, 2023
They keep saying I'm wrong but I keep getting proven right https://t.co/ye0Hu5AKAE
— Carlton (@CrispyCarlton) December 22, 2023
#Falcons handling of this deserved a fine. Seemed like they were well aware of Bijan's illness ahead of the game and yet didn't report it. The fact that Bijan was active doesn't matter. https://t.co/9bwyDrD5Sz
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) December 22, 2023
It's getting even more embarrassing for Arthur Smith and the #Falcons at this point https://t.co/BjRY3oZ4Dk
— Scott Kennedy (@ScoutKennedy) December 22, 2023
Smith should be fined for how offensive his use of Bijan, Pitts, and London are
— Dave Heilman (@DynastyDorks) December 22, 2023
Reach into your glove box, grab whatever small amount of change is lying inside, and chuck it out the window.
That’s the equivalent of a $25k fine for Arthur Smith. https://t.co/Yqpr8D95IT
— kenny g. (@Gritz_Blitz) December 22, 2023
Should we start a Go Fund Me for Coach Smith? https://t.co/RZI6WyS00R
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) December 22, 2023
Not only you costing us games but your lack of info is costing the team money too?!!! https://t.co/7PVR2Ef06G
— God Mode Activated 😤 (@MrMagnus11) December 22, 2023
another genius Arthur Smith scheme foiled https://t.co/fPwKdGpTC4
— Tre'Shon (@tre3shon) December 22, 2023
Nah, there should be a time limit on fines. 9 weeks later is crazy and unserious cuz he actually beat them at their own game considering he did play. This right here would have my lawyers working https://t.co/IF9sNdI3SR
— Your #1 Select 💗💜 💙 (@Ella__Cool23) December 22, 2023
Fire Arthur Smith as punishment
— Not Bijan (@InBijanWeTrust) December 22, 2023
So they fined the falcons for playing Bijan 2 less plays than normal 🤣🤣🤣 but @Bengals get away acott free with burrow having a whole wrist issue that they didn't disclose.. https://t.co/YdisqGBsRl
— Jill Wiley. MLSC18. 21WSCs. 21NCAA. 21/22-SERIEA (@skwjeb2016) December 22, 2023
I'm sure the NFL looked at many variables before making their decision 😄 https://t.co/fXqtv5GheJ
— The Scottish Falcon 🏴 (@ScottishFalcon) December 22, 2023
Now fine him for wasting Pitts, London and Bijan’s talents https://t.co/NI3Ro7XqAx
— Dalton Kates (@Dalton_Kates) December 22, 2023
https://t.co/PQj9Q3mqgV pic.twitter.com/Ou1oSfjK4X
— Anastasia Beaverhousen (@BlackDevereaux) December 22, 2023
I can almost guarantee you, Arthur Smith intentionally did this as a f*ck you to fantasy Bijan owners.
Arthur Smith would intentionally f*ck his team, and the fans of the team over just to 'prove' a point. https://t.co/PZ29DBePl0
— Millerz (@TheRealMillerz) December 22, 2023
Bro got fined a quarter of what Andy Reid got fined for a worse offense😭 https://t.co/q76c8CKjeG
— Julio (@RasheeTouchdown) December 22, 2023
Merry Christmas you filthy animal https://t.co/FAQF2gGYuE
— Yards Per Fantasy (@YardsPer) December 22, 2023
I traded for Bijan this week and then got beat by the guy I traded with 😐 sweet, sweet, justice baby!! https://t.co/qd80G2LewD pic.twitter.com/aOKVJXHwq3
— Bleacher Ben 🐻⚾️ (@BenWaisnora) December 22, 2023
The most blatant example but trust me most teams still intentionally suck at injury reporting so no I don’t think this changes anything. It is just for show. https://t.co/Sdq1heqTYA
— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) December 22, 2023
Take his job too @NFL https://t.co/HgKNzZWuhU pic.twitter.com/h3IzdpY6MK
— skinny hardaway (@_iBlewDat_) December 22, 2023
So a team only has to pay 100k fine for an event that made vegas MILLIONS. Seems legit 🤔🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/u0LMse7RW7
— Loskee 💭 (@He_DruNkAhH3ll) December 22, 2023
I really can’t wait til he gets fired. Cause that should’ve been the news already https://t.co/X7MYz6LzQN
— KingVirgo913™👑♍️ (@JSVirgo913) December 22, 2023
New 7-round Falcons Mock Draft
Falcons land Heisman Trophy winner in latest 7-round mock draft https://t.co/Yn2Gvp2EgX pic.twitter.com/uF0JQbMgV7
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) December 23, 2023
