The first two running backs chosen in the 2023 NFL Draft will be on the same field on Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions square off.

The Falcons selected Texas running back Bijan Robinson at No. 8, and the Lions picked Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12. Forty picks passed before the Seattle Seahawks made UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet the third running back chose in the 2023 draft.

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Atlanta and Detroit have handled their first-round running backs in different ways through the first two weeks of the season.

In 92 offensive snaps, Robinson has run for 180 yards on 29 carries and caught 10 passes for 75 yards and one touchdown.

“There’s a number of reasons why he’s dangerous,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Robinson. “He’s built like a big, power back. Like, he is built well, he’s got a big frame about him, but he is shifty like a 175-, 80-pound back, and that’s a rare quality to have.”

In 51 offensive snaps, Gibbs has run for 59 yards on 14 carries and caught nine passes for 57 yards.

“Another ultra-talented player,” Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said of Gibbs. “Quick, explosive, really good back running the football and then also out of the backfield. He’s an electric player. He’s got great speed. … You saw him progress from his first game to his second game. You saw him get better on tape, and so he’s a quick, active football player that causes some matchup issues.”

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Detroit has started David Montgomery at running back in its 2023 games. Montgomery has rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries, but he sustained a thigh injury in the Lions’ 37-31 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 17.

Montgomery has not practiced since the game, and the Lions’ injury report lists his status as “doubtful” for Sunday.

“Gibby can do anything,” Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said about the prospect of Gibbs having a bigger role against Atlanta. “We’ll see what all we ask him to do, but we feel very comfortable with him doing anything that our running backs need to do.”

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Gibbs and Robinson have been opponents previously. On Sept. 10, 2022, Gibbs gained 22 yards on nine carries and 74 yards on nine receptions in Alabama’s 20-19 victory over Texas. Robinson had 57 yards and one touchdown on 21 rushing attempts and three receptions for 73 yards for the Longhorns.

Gibbs caught a 7-yard touchdown pass as the Crimson Tide took a 17-16 lead with 8:29 to play and had a 20-yard reception to move Alabama into position for Will Reichard’s 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds to play.

“I know him pretty well,” Gibbs said of Robinson. “… I talked to him some when we was in LA for the Rookie Premiere and then the game last year at Texas. First time I seen him was the All-American game in high school, so that’s where I met him.”

Gibbs said he’d taken note of Robinson’s performance for the Falcons.

“They’ve done a great job using him,” Gibbs said. “With his skill set, he can do pretty much everything, and it’s really impressive with his size, being 220 and can move like that is very special. …

“I’m only focused on myself and my ability, what I can do, what I can control. But I do pay attention to him, though. I do watch him because that’s my boy, so I’m always going to support him.”

The Falcons and Lions square off at noon CDT Sunday at Ford Field in Detroit.

“You’re always going to be excited when you’re going to play some more and touch the ball some more,” Gibbs said. “I’ll be pretty amped up for that one.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.