MADRID — The Falcons’ Friday injury report for Sunday’s international game against Cincinnati listed running back Brian Robinson Jr. and wideout Zachariah Branch as inactive, and it left James Pearce Jr.’s season debut in doubt after his back tightened in practice.
Robinson is missing a third straight contest with a hamstring problem. Branch also has a hamstring injury from the Tampa Bay loss. Club reports say practice-squad back Khalil Herbert is likely to be elevated, and Olamide Zaccheaus is the leading candidate to handle kickoff returns.
Safety Billy Bowman Jr. cleared the final hurdle after full practices all week at Real Madrid’s training complex and is expected to play. Linebacker Divine Deablo went full Friday and carries a questionable tag with a forearm injury.
Pearce finished an eight-game suspension and had been ticketed for a pass-rush role on a limited snap count. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Friday the edge rusher’s back will be watched through the weekend after he was limited in the final workout. Pearce posted 10.5 sacks last season, tops on the roster.
The Falcons and Bengals kick off at 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday in Madrid, Atlanta’s lone overseas trip this year. Atlanta is chasing win No. 4; Cincinnati sits near the top of the AFC after a strong midseason stretch.
International weeks compress recovery time, so the final walkthrough and pregame warmups will decide whether Pearce and Deablo dress. Robinson’s continued absence keeps the backfield thin behind Bijan Robinson for the Madrid kickoff. The Bengals have been stacking high-scoring outings lately, raising the stakes for Atlanta’s pass rush if Pearce is limited.
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