NFL roundup: Atlanta makes Robinson top-paid RB
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FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a three-year contract extension with Bijan Robinson through the 2030 season that makes the fourth-year player the NFL’s highest-paid running back.
Robinson reposted the NFL’s Instagram post detailing the extension on Tuesday morning, writing “God this is for you! Blessings. Love this team and this city!”
The extension is worth up to $75 million with incentives, with $51 million guaranteed, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because terms weren’t announced.
The base value of $66.75 million gives Robinson a $22.25 million average per year that makes him the league’s top-paid running back. Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley’s average is $20.6 million.
“Obviously very excited for him, excited for us,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said Tuesday.
NFL Network and ESPN first reported the extension.
“I just knew throughout this whole process that it would be a process and I felt good about where we were. I think everybody understands how we feel about Bijan the person and Bijan the player.”
Robinson joined practice on Tuesday as Stefanski and the Falcons no longer have to worry about their star running back’s status for the season.
“It means obviously as a coach, you want to get your guys ready for the football season and it allows us to get Bijan ready,” Stefanski said. “And he’s eager, beyond eager, to get out here. So on that note, we’ll slowly get him back in there. … We’ll have a plan here for the next week to ramp him up.”
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked Robinson the league’s top running back in a preseason survey.
Robinson led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 TDs last season.
Robinson has been the focus of Atlanta’s productive ground game since he was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. He flourished as a dual-threat back last season, finishing fourth in the league with 1,478 rushing yards while adding 820 receiving yards.
Steven Jackson in 2006 is the only other player ever with at least 1,400 rushing yards and 800 receiving yards in the same season.
Falcons' Walker carted off at practice
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker was carted off the practice field on Tuesday after injuring his left leg.
Walker, a first-round draft pick from Georgia in 2025, started as a rookie and had 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Walker was the No. 15 overall pick and one of two pass rushers taken by the Falcons in the first round. James Pearce Jr. was the No. 25 overall pick. Walker is versatile and able to line up as an edge rusher or outside linebacker.
Walker couldn’t place any weight on the left leg as he was helped off the cart and taken into the locker room. Players huddled as Walker received attention from trainers following his injury on a pass rush play.
Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski ended practice following the injury, about 45 minutes earlier than scheduled.
There was no immediate report from the team on the severity of the injury.
Ravens, Flowers reach extension
The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract extension with two-time Pro Bowl receiver Zay Flowers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the terms hadn’t been announced. The agreement, which includes $108 million guaranteed, is a sizable commitment to Flowers, who is coming off a season in which he caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards and five touchdowns. Baltimore drafted him in the first round in 2023, and the shifty 5-foot-9 receiver immediately became a factor with his quickness. He’s now posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons as a top target for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“Great day for the Ravens. Shoutout to Zay Flowers,” Baltimore coach Jesse Minter said. “Nothing better as a coach than to see those guys get what they deserve. Really happy for Zay and excited for him. I can’t wait to see him thrive in our offense.”
The Ravens drafted a receiver in the first round three times from 2019 through 2023. They haven’t done it again since taking Flowers. He’s missed only one regular-season game in three seasons, although he was unavailable for the 2024 playoffs.
Flowers became the fastest player in Ravens history (21 games) to reach 100 receptions and the first Raven with multiple 1,000-yard seasons in the first three years of his career. He ranked 11th in the NFL in receptions in 2025 and seventh in yards receiving. That was despite an underwhelming, injury-plagued season from Jackson -- and Baltimore’s willingness to run the ball with Derrick Henry.
Flowers was asked last week about his contract situation as he entered his fourth season.
“Honestly, I am just working right now. I am trying to get better. I leave that to my agents,” he said. “Right now, I am trying to learn this offense, get closer to my teammates and my coaches, and just keep getting right for the season.”
Cowboys' Fant will miss season
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys tight end Princeton Fant is out for the season after sustaining a knee injury in training camp Monday.
Fant tore his ACL and partially tore his MCL, and he will undergo surgery in the coming weeks, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday. Fant was hurt on a knee-on-knee hit to his left leg after being blocked backward into running back Israel Abanikanda during the Cowboys’ first full pads practice.
Fant has appeared in 11 games over three seasons for the Cowboys, playing mostly on special teams, after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2023. He is the cousin of New Orleans Saints tight end Noah Fant.