Tyler Goodson gives Falcons something to feel good about

Most NFL backup running backs are interchangeable. Tyler Allgeier wasn’t that kind of backup running back.

He’s good enough to start for many teams. The Falcons weren’t one of them because they had All-Pro Bijan Robinson, but Allgeier produced like a No. 1 when he got his chances.

So, the Falcons were left with a significant hole when Allgeier signed with the Cardinals as a free agent after last season. They attempted to fill that void by signing two low-cost free agents, Brian Robinson and Tyler Goodson.

The expectation is that Brian Robinson will be the No. 2. But Goodson’s performance against the Colts in an exhibition game on Saturday signaled that he might deserve an offensive role, too.

Goodson ran for a 49-yard touchdown in the first half that put the Falcons ahead for good in the 34-6 victory in Indianapolis. Robinson also returned a kickoff 37 yards to put the Falcons in good field position for the drive that ended with his score.

“He’s done a lot for us on offense and on special teams,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said during a halftime interview with Fox 5. “Obviously, had a great play there to get in the end zone, but he’s also running down there on these special teams. As we know (in) these preseason games, there’s a lot of guys doing double duty, so I appreciate the effort from ‘T.G.’”

Brian Robinson is a more accomplished ball carrier than Goodson, who had just 54 rushing attempts over three seasons with the Colts. The Falcons signed Robinson to a one-year free-agent contract for $2.5 million, including $750,000 guaranteed.

The Falcons signed Goodson to a one-year minimum-salary contract with no guarantees. That makes Goodson expendable, but he’s making a strong case to stick with the Falcons.

Goodson was among the few bright spots for the Falcons during their poor performance against the Broncos in the first exhibition game. He ran for 28 yards on seven carries, including a 6-yard attempt that set up Jack Strand’s 1-yard TD run. Goodson also returned a kickoff for 36 yards.

He was even better against the Colts. Goodson’s 37-yard kickoff return allowed the Falcons to start their second drive at their 41-yard line. Four plays later, Goodson scored the 49-yard touchdown to energize the Falcons.

Goodson accelerated through a hole off left tackle, evaded two defenders and then outran Colts safety Hunter Wohler down the sideline. Several Falcons starters who didn’t dress for the game drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for leaving the sideline to celebrate with Goodson.

The reports on Goodson in training camp have been positive. The performance against the Colts likely solidified his grip on the job as the No. 3 running back over Nathan Carter. Carter made the Falcons’ roster as an undrafted free agent last season but appeared in just seven games for the previous coaching staff.

The Falcons are counting on Brian Robinson to produce like Allgeier. Robinson has rushed for 2,729 career yards on 662 carries (4.1 yards per rush) with 17 touchdowns and has 73 career catches for 612 yards (8.4 yards per catch) with five TDs.