Falcons' Tyler Goodson Shines Against Former Team in Preseason Win
Running back Tyler Goodson rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown, including a 49-yard score, in Atlanta's 34-6 preseason victory over the Colts. The performance boosts his chances of securing the third running back spot behind Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. Goodson also contributed a 37-yard kickoff return, addressing a weak area for the Falcons.
Goodson carried six times for 59 yards against Indianapolis, with his 49-yard touchdown run serving as the afternoon's defining play. He also returned a kickoff 37 yards, a notable contribution for a Falcons unit that finished last in the NFL in average kickoff return yardage last season. The performance arrives as Atlanta sorts out its backfield following Trey Sermon's placement on injured reserve, leaving Goodson, Nathan Carter, and Cash Jones to compete for limited spots behind Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr.
The running back acknowledged extra motivation facing the Colts, the franchise that drafted him and where he spent his first three professional seasons. He credited Atlanta's offensive line for creating the running lanes, and his teammates' planned celebration after the touchdown reflected the team-building emphasis head coach Kevin Stefanski has instilled during camp.
This performance could influence roster decisions that ripple beyond one player's career. Preseason standouts like Goodson may secure a role that provides depth for a team with playoff aspirations, while also demonstrating how late-round and undrafted players can earn opportunities through special teams contributions. For fans, such moments offer a glimpse of roster battles that typically unfold away from the spotlight, shaping the team's identity ahead of the regular season.