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Falcons add Robertson to battered backfield
NFL.com wire reports
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (Dec. 13, 2006) -- With Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood hobbled by injuries, the Atlanta Falcons signed former Carolina and San Francisco running back Jamal Robertson.
Robertson adds depth to a backfield that might be without its top two tailbacks for a crucial game Dec. 16 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Dunn went down last week in a 17-6 victory at Tampa Bay with a calf injury. Just a few plays later, Norwood left the game after hurting his right knee -- the same one that kept the rookie out of a game earlier in the season.
Dunn and Norwood both skipped the Wednesday practice, and the Falcons (7-6) listed them as questionable for the contest against NFC East-leading Dallas (8-5). If neither can play, fullback Justin Griffith would start at tailback.
"It's crunch time," said Norwood, who has rushed for 550 yards. "I'm doing everything I can to get back on the field. But I've got to be smart about it."
Dunn is 3 yards shy of his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Robertson was initially signed by the 49ers as an undrafted rookie in 2002. He spent two seasons with San Francisco and two with Carolina before being waived by the Panthers in their final cut this year.
In 34 career games, Robertson has rushed for 248 yards on 62 carries with one touchdown. He also has 58 kickoff returns for 1,325 yards.
Before signing Robertson, the Falcons had only five running backs on their 53-man roster -- and one of those, fullback Corey McIntrye, has yet to play since being signed last month.
Running backs coach Ollie Wilson said he's confident Griffith can take over as the main runner if Dunn and Norwood cannot play.
"Justin can do everything we need him to do," Wilson said. "It's been our plan all along for him to be in there if something happened to the other guys."
The Falcons waived safety Nick Turnbull, who has flip-flopped between the practice squad and active roster much of the season. He has played in two games and been on the inactive list in another.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
NFL.com wire reports
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (Dec. 13, 2006) -- With Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood hobbled by injuries, the Atlanta Falcons signed former Carolina and San Francisco running back Jamal Robertson.
Robertson adds depth to a backfield that might be without its top two tailbacks for a crucial game Dec. 16 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Dunn went down last week in a 17-6 victory at Tampa Bay with a calf injury. Just a few plays later, Norwood left the game after hurting his right knee -- the same one that kept the rookie out of a game earlier in the season.
Dunn and Norwood both skipped the Wednesday practice, and the Falcons (7-6) listed them as questionable for the contest against NFC East-leading Dallas (8-5). If neither can play, fullback Justin Griffith would start at tailback.
"It's crunch time," said Norwood, who has rushed for 550 yards. "I'm doing everything I can to get back on the field. But I've got to be smart about it."
Dunn is 3 yards shy of his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Robertson was initially signed by the 49ers as an undrafted rookie in 2002. He spent two seasons with San Francisco and two with Carolina before being waived by the Panthers in their final cut this year.
In 34 career games, Robertson has rushed for 248 yards on 62 carries with one touchdown. He also has 58 kickoff returns for 1,325 yards.
Before signing Robertson, the Falcons had only five running backs on their 53-man roster -- and one of those, fullback Corey McIntrye, has yet to play since being signed last month.
Running backs coach Ollie Wilson said he's confident Griffith can take over as the main runner if Dunn and Norwood cannot play.
"Justin can do everything we need him to do," Wilson said. "It's been our plan all along for him to be in there if something happened to the other guys."
The Falcons waived safety Nick Turnbull, who has flip-flopped between the practice squad and active roster much of the season. He has played in two games and been on the inactive list in another.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
