In a surprising turn of events, Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. won’t play in the upcoming preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This absence may be a sign that his time with the Commanders could be coming to an end after three seasons.
According to a league source, the Commanders might look to trade Robinson in the coming days. If they can’t find a team interested in him, they may release him entirely. Robinson has been the main running back for Washington over the past three years, making this possible move significant.
With Robinson out, the spotlight will be on Chris Rodriguez Jr., a third-year player, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a rookie. They are expected to get the bulk of the carries in the preseason game.
If Robinson departs, it will leave the Commanders with only 10 players on the roster who were drafted before general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn came on board after the 2023 season. The team also has veteran Austin Ekeler in the backfield and plans to utilize receiver Deebo Samuel as a running back occasionally, similar to his role with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jeremy McNichols, who has played with ten different franchises, is also in the mix. He had a standout season last year, rushing for 261 yards and four touchdowns, and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. With several strong options, the Commanders are embracing a running-back-by-committee approach this season.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury emphasized the depth they have at running back. He praised Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt, McNichols, and even Kazmeir Allen for their potential. “All six or seven guys in there have a place in this league,” he said. “They all have dynamic traits and have played at a high level.” This perspective highlights the competition within the team and the belief that multiple players can contribute significantly.
Before the NFL Draft, insiders indicated that the Commanders planned to select a running back, although not in the early rounds. They were looking for more productivity from the position, which might have prompted this reevaluation of Robinson.
Robinson’s journey to this stage has been challenging. The third-round pick in the 2022 draft faced a life-threatening situation when he was shot during an attempted robbery in Washington, D.C. After surgery on his knee, he made a remarkable comeback, playing 12 games and rushing for 797 yards with two touchdowns that season.
Over 41 games with Washington, Robinson has rushed for a total of 2,329 yards. He achieved a career-high 799 yards last season, with an average of 4.1 yards per carry. Although he ranks 40th among running backs since entering the league, he stood out with an impressive 56.8 rushing yards per game, which placed him 17th in that category.
As the Commanders move forward, their decision regarding Robinson could significantly impact their running game. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.
