{
  "id": 12037388,
  "title": "Saints Defense Missing Stars Faces Bijan Robinson’s Rush",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/saints-defense-missing-stars-faces-bijan-robinsons-rush",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T00:21:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/saints-defense-missing-stars-faces-002100858.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a crucial encounter between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field, the Saints' defensive line faces a significant challenge. The Saints are without their top run defender, Kaden Elliss, who is sidelined with a calf injury, leaving them heavily depleted. Additionally, linebacker Pete Werner is questionable due to a shoulder injury, further weakening the Saints' defense. These absences create a glaring void in New Orleans' lineup, especially as the Falcons boast one of the league's most formidable offensive lines, featuring solid starters like Jake Matthews and Matthew Bergeron.\n\nBijan Robinson, the Falcons' star running back, has been on a roll this season, rushing for over 1,400 yards in each of the past two years. In just three games this season, he has already amassed 349 yards on the ground, ranking second in the NFL. His explosive combination of power and speed makes him nearly unstoppable one-on-one. The Falcons' rushing attack has become even more potent, ranking eighth in the NFL last season, and Robinson has already accumulated more than 100 scrimmage yards in the Saints' previous four meetings.\n\nTo try and counteract this threat, the Saints will rely on their backup players, such as Danny Stutsman and Isaiah Stalbird. However, they are missing key defensive ends Carl Granderson and Anfernee Jennings, both of whom played crucial roles in stopping the run. With these losses, the Saints' defense is dangerously thin, and they will need to find a way to slow down the rush or risk a difficult night at Lambeau Field. The Falcons, with their powerful rushing defense allowing only 47.7 yards per game, are well-equipped to exploit any gaps and force the Saints to make tough decisions.",
  "summary": "The Saints are shorthanded against Bijan Robinson. See why the Falcons' running back poses a massive threat to New Orleans on Monday night.",
  "key_points": [
    "Saints defense missing Kaden Elliss and Pete Werner due to injuries",
    "Bijan Robinson rushes for over 1,400 yards in past two seasons",
    "Falcons' rushing defense ranks 8th in NFL, slowing Saints' run threat"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Saints' defense, weakened by key injuries to Kaden Elliss and potentially Pete Werner, faces a daunting task in slowing down Bijan Robinson and the Falcons' potent rushing attack.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}