Apparently, Brian Robinson has played his last game as a Washington Commander.
Monday afternoon, the Commanders announced that the fourth-year running back they drafted out of Alabama in 2022 (third round) would not play in Monday’s preseason game against the Bengals. The late move regarding this second game of the preseason is certainly understandable. The Commanders didn’t want to risk Robinson being injured while they attempt to find a buyer for perhaps a sixth or seventh-round draft choice. Likewise, after discussing this with Robinson, one understands why Robinson would want to suit up for the Commanders and risk injury, damaging his opportunity to make a 53-man roster elsewhere next week.
Adam Peters, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury did not draft Robinson. Kingsbury’s offense attempts to spread the field and features quick-hitting, explosive plays in the run game. Robinson, on the other hand, is more of a bruiser style and struggled last year to meet the team’s expectations as their starting running back. When given limited opportunities in 2024, not only did Austin Ekeler run much better, but so did both Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez. In addition, the Commanders have now added seventh-round rookie draft choice Jacory Croskey-Merritt (JCM), who has already displayed the spark and quickness they desire for the position.
Rushing DVOA (per-play efficiency based on down, distance, score, opposing defense) for Commanders RBs in the 2024 regular season:
Chris Rodriguez: 34.2%
Jeremy McNichols: 22.7%
Austin Ekeler: 15.3%
Brian Robinson: -4.2%— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) August 18, 2025
Al Galdi of the “Al Galdi Podcast,” posted on X (formerly Twitter) early Monday evening, noted how Rodriguez, McNichols, and Ekeler all scored much higher on the per-play efficiency scale in 2024 than Robinson. While it is true the present administration didn’t draft Rodriguez either, his efficiency numbers have provided enough evidence that they have committed to moving on from Robinson.
Remember also that Jayden Daniels is a threat to run, and Kingsbury last year called more than enough zone-reads, making Daniels the true double threat he indeed is. Daniels averaged 6.0 yards per carry last season. Also, keep in mind that Kingsbury may choose to have WR Deebo Samuel run the ball a few times each game as well, as he did successfully when with the San Francisco 49ers. Both of these factors will contribute to the Commanders not needing to necessarily have their starting running back carry the load that many teams require.
Robinson gained 799 yards in 2024, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, while catching 20 passes for 159 yards, for 8.0 yards per reception. Age 26, Robinson has carried the ball 570 times for Washington in his three previous NFL seasons for 2,329 yards (4.1 YPC) and 15 rushing touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Why are the Commanders moving on from Brian Robinson Jr?