Who Should I Start? Khalil Herbert or Josh Williams

Friday, October 23, 10:08 AM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Friday that Khalil Herbert will be Bijan Robinson's backup running back on Sunday in the Week 7 contest against the visiting San Francisco 49ers, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. The Falcons' RB depth will be tested this weekend after the team ruled out Brian Robinson due to a hamstring injury. Herbert, a former sixth-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021 from Virginia Tech, will be making his first appearance on the team's game-day roster on Sunday versus San Francisco. In his five NFL seasons, he has averaged 4.7 yards per carry for 1,957 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 63 games played (13 starts), adding 54 receptions for 316 yards and two receiving scores. The reality of this weekend is that the Falcons will likely just lean more heavily on star running back Bijan Robinson as they try to give the 49ers their first loss of the 2026 season. In seven games last year with the New York Jets, Herbert had 16 carries for 52 yards and zero touchdowns on the ground. Fantasy managers should not consider him a realistic starting option this weekend.