FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — As soon as Atlanta Falcons tight end Charlie Woerner fell on his back in the left corner of the end zone, his arms went up to signal a touchdown.
It wasn't his own. It was running back Bijan Robinson's 7-yard rushing score in the second quarter of the Falcons’ Week 6 win against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium last Sunday.
Woerner only celebrated from the ground because he got caught up in the final tackling mix that also brought Robinson to the turf. Woerner had been holding his block of Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson to the best of his ability until Robinson crossed the goal line. Panthers defensive end A'Shawn Robinson ran into Woerner, though, knocking him over as he took Bijan Robinson down too late.
"It helps tremendously, and he knows it, too," Robinson said. "We'll go to the sideline, or even just on the field, and I'm like, 'Yo, Charlie, that was was amazing. Thank you.' He's always appreciative; he's just so low-key about it. He's like, 'Bro, I got you,' every single time."
He's got Robinson and his backfield teammate, Tyler Allgeier.
Robinson finished Sunday's game against the Panthers with 15 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns. The other score came on a 5-yard run in the first quarter. Woerner was not on the field for the play.
Allgeier had a team-high 18 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown was a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter. Woerner kept Panthers outside linebacker Charles Harris out of the backfield and off Allgeier long enough for Allegeier to close the distance up the middle.
The Falcons as a whole totaled a season-high 198 yards rushing.
"I love it," Woerner said. "I've never really been a stat-sheet guy, so I've always tried to contribute in any way I can. When they call my number on the front side of a run play, or whatever it is, I go out there and do my best. When it's executed, we're all on our assignment and I look over and see Tyler or Bijan hitting it for a nice run, there's nothing much that makes me feel better than seeing my teammates succeed."
The only times Woerner's name was mentioned in the most recent game book were for his participation, his sole tackle on kickoff coverage and his snap counts — 36% of offense and 74% of special teams. His presence, though, was vital to the Falcons' rushing attack. So, a few sheets of paper didn't do his performance justice — and haven't in the past either.
Through six games this season, Woerner has just one reception on two targets for 4 yards. That accounts for his sole touch. Last Sunday was his only tackle.
"I would just value myself on effort," Woerner said. "I've always gone out there and done what my coaches have asked me to do, and I've enjoyed what they've asked me to do so far."
The Falcons signed Woener in the offseason. He previously spent all four years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft. He averaged 20.5% of the offensive snaps and 74% of the special teams snaps through the 65 games in which he appeared there, and he established a reputation for being a tenacious and skilled run blocker.
Woerner's numbers are higher on offense and lower on special teams in Atlanta, but not by much. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Woerner's passing game opportunities were also limited in San Francisco. He had 12 receptions on 17 targets for 124 yards throughout his entire time there.
His 6-foot-5 and 241-pound frame makes for a better blocking machine.
"He should be offended that I didn't call him the sixth offensive lineman," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "Because Charlie is certainly – definitely – juicing the energy and a lot of the emotional push behind our run game, and he has just such a pride in it.
"The one thing I had to call my buddy, Kyle Shanahan, about (was), 'I tell you what, these dudes we got from San Fran know how to practice,' and I just messed up because he told me not to tell anybody. But (Woerner) has definitely brought that to our team. He has brought an edge, he has brought an energy, and he has brought a bunch of different stuff to us that we love on game day and that we love within the building every single day."
Those traits were nurtured as an adolescent and adult.
As one of six kids, specifically the second youngest, Woerner had to constantly be on top of his game unless he wanted to suffer the wrath of his rough-and-tough siblings. He was admittedly (and jokingly) beaten up by his older brothers and sister, so he learned to put up a fight back. Effort was key, since size wasn't in his favor.
When his growth spurt hit in middle school, the in-house fighting stopped, and football became a serious future.
Woerner has played at the highest levels, forcing professionalism into the sport from the start.
"Someone texted me, who played with him in San Francisco and is not retired," Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "He said, 'You're going to love Charlie. He's in Year 5. You'll think he's in Year 12.' And he's right."
Woerner went to the University of Georgia, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Scott Woerner, a former NFL safety, where he helped the Bulldogs reach three straight New Year's Six bowls and play in the 2018 national championship game. He saw three consecutive playoff runs with the 49ers after just one year in the NFL.
"It's just who I am," Woerner said. "I've been just ingrained since 5 years old to always give my best. I've always had to. Not that it comes easy. Because definitely there's days where you're tired, your body is hurting or whatever. But I always go out there and give my best."
And that hasn't gone unrecognized.
"I think he's the best blocking tight end in the NFL," Robinson said. "I mean, we all know that. But just how he goes about his business and how he's just so humble about it, you would never think he's this killer on the field off the field."
