LANDOVER, Md. -- In a significant development for the Washington Commanders, running back Brian Robinson Jr. will not be participating in the upcoming preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. This absence may indicate the potential conclusion of his tenure with the franchise after three seasons. According to a league source, the Commanders are contemplating the possibility of trading Robinson in the coming days. However, if they cannot find a suitable trade partner, Washington may opt to release him, despite Robinson being their primary running back over the last three seasons.
Prior to the announcement regarding Robinson, a team source revealed that Monday's game is expected to feature a significant focus on third-year player Chris Rodriguez Jr. and rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt at the running back position. Should the Commanders decide to part ways with Robinson, the roster would consist of only 10 players who were drafted before general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn were appointed following the 2023 season.
The Commanders are not short on options in the backfield, as they also have veteran Austin Ekeler on the roster. Additionally, they plan to utilize wide receiver Deebo Samuel as a running back at times, similar to his role with the San Francisco 49ers. Another veteran, Jeremy McNichols, who has played for 10 different franchises, is also part of the mix. McNichols impressed Washington's coaching staff last season, rushing for a career-best 261 yards and four touchdowns, while averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
On Friday, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury emphasized the depth at the running back position during a press conference at the Commanders' facility. He highlighted the talents of Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt, McNichols, and even Kazmeir Allen, stating, “We have a lot of running back depth.” The Commanders have consistently rotated their running backs throughout training camp, though Robinson typically received the first snaps. Coaches have hinted at a running-back-by-committee approach moving forward.
“All six or seven guys in there have a place in this league,” Kingsbury noted. “They all have dynamic traits, all have things they do really well, and when given the opportunity, they have performed at a high level. It’s a deep group, and we just have to see how it shakes out.”
Before the draft, a team source indicated that the Commanders were definitely considering selecting a running back, although it likely wouldn't be in the early rounds. The team seeks more production from the position than what they have received from Robinson.
Robinson's journey in the NFL has been anything but straightforward. The third-round pick in the 2022 draft faced a traumatic event when he was shot on August 28, 2022, during an attempted robbery in Washington, D.C. Despite undergoing knee surgery due to the shooting, he returned to play 12 games, amassing 797 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Since being drafted, Robinson has rushed for a total of 2,329 yards across 41 games with Washington. Last season, he achieved a career-high of 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, which ranks 40th among running backs since he entered the league.
Moreover, Robinson ranked 29th in yards after first contact, and his percentage of 10-yard runs (9.8) placed him 86th in the league. Notably, he was 17th in rushing yards per game, averaging 56.8 yards. The next few days will be critical for both Robinson and the Commanders as they navigate his future with the team.
