Brian Robinson Jr. Could Be Nearing the End with the Commanders
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. did not participate in his team’s 31-17 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. This could indicate the end of his tenure with the franchise after three seasons. Neither Robinson nor wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who is not training while seeking a contract extension, were present at Northwest Stadium for the game. According to a league source, the Commanders could try to trade Robinson in the coming days. If they don’t find a buyer, Washington could cut Robinson, their primary running back for the last three seasons.Coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters met with Robinson on Sunday afternoon and informed him and the team about the decision not to play him against the Bengals.I will give an update once there is something to share.
Dan Quinn, Commanders Coach
Before the news about Robinson, a team source said that Monday’s game would feature a heavy workload for third-year running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. and seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Rodriguez ran six times for 62 yards, with a 40-yard run on his first carry. Croskey-Merritt gained 46 yards on 11 carries and scored from 27 yards on Washington’s second drive.
If separated from Robinson, the Commanders would only have 10 players on the roster who were drafted before general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn were hired after the 2023 season. Washington also has veteran Austin Ekeler in the backfield and plans to use receiver Deebo Samuel as a runner on occasion, in the same way the San Francisco 49ers used him. They also have veteran Jeremy McNichols, who has been on 10 franchises. McNichols impressed Washington coaches last season when he ran for a personal best of 261 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury echoed that sentiment. He highlighted Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt, McNichols, and even Kazmeir Allen. The Commanders have rotated their running backs throughout the camp, although Robinson used to be the first running back to receive work. But the coaches have suggested a running back by committee situation.Upon entering the training camp, we thought this was a deep room.
Dan Quinn, Commanders Coach
Before the draft, a team source said the Commanders would definitely select a running back, although it probably wouldn’t be in the early rounds. They wanted more than they were getting from the position and from Robinson. Robinson’s path in the NFL began with a difficult situation. The player selected in the third round in the 2022 draft was shot on August 28, 2022, in an attempted robbery in Washington, D.C. Despite undergoing knee surgery due to the shooting, he returned to play 12 games and ran for 797 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson has rushed for 2,329 yards in 41 games with Washington since being drafted by the organization. He rushed for a personal record of 799 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He has averaged 4.1 yards per carry in his career, which ranks him 40th among running backs since he entered the league. He ranked 29th in yards after first contact and his 10-yard run percentage (9.8) ranked 86th. But he was 17th in yards per run (56.8).All six or seven guys who are there have a place in this league. They all have dynamic traits, they all have things they do really well, and the guys, when they got their chance, played at a high level. It’s a deep group and we just have to see how it unfolds.
Kliff Kingsbury, Offensive Coordinator
