The Atlanta Falcons and head coach Arthur Smith have been hit with fines by the NFL for allegedly violating the league's Injury Report Policy. The fine amounts to $75,000 for the team and $25,000 for Smith. The controversy arose regarding the status of running back Bijan Robinson before their Week 7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During the game, Robinson saw limited action, playing only 13 snaps and carrying the ball once for a gain of 3 yards. These circumstances raised questions about why he was not on the Falcons' injury report prior to the matchup.

In a halftime interview, Coach Smith explained that Robinson was "just not feeling all that great." However, he later downplayed the situation, stating that there was "nothing to it." Robinson himself admitted that he had been dealing with a headache that began the night before the game and worsened on Sunday.

Robinson expressed his discomfort, saying, "I was feeling weird. I woke up, just completely out of it. I tried to take medicine so I could be good for the game. But my head was hurting. Bad. I don't know what was going on. I tried to go in pregame, but then Coach Smith said, 'We'll be all right. Let's get you right.'"

Coach Smith addressed the matter on Friday, acknowledging the league's view on the situation. He emphasized that there was no intention to deceive or manipulate the injury report, and that it was a case of misinterpretation. He called it a learning experience and mentioned that future discussions with the league would likely take place.

The NFL has strict policies regarding transparency and accurate reporting of injuries. In 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers and coach Mike Tomlin were fined for providing an inaccurate report on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The league's investigation into the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this season regarding quarterback Joe Burrow's injury status resulted in the team being cleared of any wrongdoing.

Overall, the incident with Robinson and the subsequent fines serve as a reminder for NFL teams to adhere to the league's Injury Report Policy and ensure transparency regarding player injuries. The league continues to prioritize player safety and fair competition by enforcing these rules.