With Gibson now in New England and Austin Ekeler arriving from Los Angeles, we're expecting a fairly similar role for Robinson in 2024. That role, when Gibson was healthy, was about 11.5 carries and two targets per game. The upside for Robinson comes if the aging former superstar misses time. In the one game Gibson missed last year Robinson saw 17 carries and nine targets and scored 20.2 PPR Fantasy points. While we do expect Ekeler to handle most of the work in the passing game, we also expect Robinson to be the team's primary short-yardage back. We're comfortable drafting Robinson starting in Round 9 in full PPR leagues as a No. 3 running back or flex. In non-PPR, he's worth at least a round earlier and could be a low-end RB2.
We have to see how the Commanders use Robinson and Austin Ekeler in tandem, and I'm hopeful Robinson gets the majority of touches. But Robinson's production could be limited if the Commanders are trailing since Ekeler should get more work in the passing game. And this isn't an easy matchup since Tampa Bay was No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and moving Vita Vea in the middle of the Buccaneers defense won't be easy for Washington's offensive line. Jayden Daniels will also take rushing production away from Robinson, so consider him a flex at best in this Week 1 matchup.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Gets first RB touch Saturday
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Robinson rushed three times for 22 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game in the Commanders' 13-6 preseason loss to the Dolphins on Saturday night.
Robinson logged the Commanders' first touch from scrimmage, which went for no gain, before rattling off a pair of 11-yard runs on consecutive plays to open Washington's second possession. Robinson and Austin Ekeler split snaps on the first two drives, with both then coming out of the game at the same time as QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin. While Ekeler figures to have a significant role, especially on passing downs, Robinson is set to enter Week 1 as Washington's lead runner.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: New backfield competition
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Robinson is slated to compete for backfield work with veteran Austin Ekeler, whom the Commanders are set to sign to a two-year contract, Kris Rhim of ESPN reports.
Robinson will also lose one form of competition with Antonio Gibson set to sign with the Patriots, but it's seems clear that Washington felt the need to bring in an established pass catcher out of the backfield. Ekeler is coming off the worst season of his career in terms of efficiency, though he did deal with a high-ankle sprain and questionable blocking. Robinson, on the other hand, improved his YPC to 4.1 after managing only 3.9 as a rookie, finishing with 733 rushing yards and five scores across 15 games, in addition to a respectable 36-368-4 receiving line. New offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could envision Gibson as the preferred option for between-the-tackles work and Ekeler as the go-to-receiving back, but training camp could also go a long way in determining the eventual backfield split.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Gets into end zone in Week 18 loss
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Robinson carried the ball nine times for 25 yards and caught all three of his targets for 10 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Cowboys.
The rushing yards total, while feeble, led the Commanders on the day, and Robinson also lost a fumble -- although he atoned for it with a one-yard TD grab early in the second quarter when the outcome of the game was still in doubt. The second-year RB showed growth in his skills in 2023, establishing himself as a fairly reliable receiving option and improving his YPC marginally from 3.9 as a rookie to 4.1. With Washington likely to bring in a new coaching staff in the offseason, however, Robinson could find himself in an open competition with Chris Rodriguez (ankle), plus any roster additions, for the top job in the backfield next year.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson Jr.: RBs to Sit
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The Cowboys run defense has suffered over the past three games with defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins (ankle) out, but Mike McCarthy expressed some optimism that Hankins could play in Week 18 at Washington. A running back has scored at least 12 PPR points in three games in a row against Dallas without Hankins. Prior to that, only five running backs had reached that total against the Cowboys in the first 12 games of the season, including Robinson in Week 12. He had 15 carries for 53 yards and two catches for 11 yards on three targets at Dallas, and I could see a similar stat line in the rematch. I would only use Robinson as a flex option in most leagues in Week 18.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Tallies 76 yards in return
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Robinson rushed the ball nine times for 44 yards in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the 49ers. He added four receptions on four targets for 32 yards.
Robinson returned from a two-game absence caused by a hamstring injury and immediately retook the primary role in Washington's backfield. He accounted for 13 total touches as compared to six for Antonio Gibson and led the team with 76 scrimmage yards. Robinson is likely to maintain the same role in Week 18, though his production could have to come primarily as a pass catcher given the likelihood that the Commanders are playing from behind against the Cowboys.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Ready to play
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Robinson (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the 49ers, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.
With the help of a Week 14 bye, Robinson ultimately will miss only two games with what seemed to be a significant hamstring injury. Chris Rodriguez (ankle) filled in as the lead runner and had a pair of rushing TD in last week's loss to the Jets, but he then landed on injured reserve, leaving little question about Robinson's role over the final two weeks. The 228-pound back figures to pick up where he left off in early December, handling most of the carries in a backfield timeshare with Antonio Gibson.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Returns as limited participant
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Robinson (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.
Robinson took part in his first official on-field work since injuring his hamstring back in Week 13 against the Dolphins. He was sidelined for the entire second half of that contest and also the Commanders' next two games following a Week 14 bye. Reserve running back Chris Rodriguez didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle issue, so Antonio Gibson and Derrick Gore are the team's current healthy options at the position. Robinson will have two more opportunities this week to increase his activity level and potentially put himself in a position to return to action Sunday versus the 49ers.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Ruled out for Jets matchup
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Robinson (hamstring) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
As expected after a second straight week of missed practice, though Robinson did at least manage some side work with the training staff. His next chance to play will be Dec. 31 against the 49ers. In the meantime, Chris Rodriguez and Antonio Gibson figure to get most of the backfield snaps/touches, with Jonathan Williams (concussion) or Derrick Gore potentially being elevated from the practice squad for depth.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Missing practice again
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Robinson (hamstring) isn't practicing Friday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
He thus appears likely to miss a second straight game when the Commanders face the Jets on Sunday. With Robinson out last week, the Commanders used Chris Rodriguez as their lead runner and gave Jonathan Williams (concussion) 13 snaps, while veteran Antonio Gibson remained in his usual role and took 45 percent of the snaps on offense.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Held out of practice
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Robinson (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.
Reporters saw Robinson working out Thursday afternoon, but he apparently wasn't deemed ready to practice. He's yet to practice since suffering the hamstring injury Week 13 -- right before a Week 14 bye -- and now appears in danger of missing a second game when the Commanders face the Jets this Sunday. Antonio Gibson stayed in his usual role for last week's 28-20 loss to the Rams, while Chris Rodriguez stepped up as the lead runner and Jonathan Williams also got some snaps before suffering a concussion.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Works on side Thursday
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Robinson (hamstring) was seen working out on the side at Thursday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
It's unclear if Robinson has a chance to mix into drills Thursday, but if he goes down as a non-participant for a second consecutive day, he'll have only one more chance this week to do so before the Commanders potentially make a ruling on his status for Sunday's game at the Jets. In the event Robinson misses a second straight contest, Chris Rodriguez would be in line for more carries while Antonio Gibson serves in his customary pass-catching role.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Misses another practice
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Robinson (hamstring) sat out practice Wednesday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
Robinson didn't practice last week and missed Sunday's 28-20 loss to the Rams, with his absence freeing up more work for Chris Rodriguez and Jonathan Williams (concussion) while Antonio Gibson stayed in his familiar pass-catching role. Another Robinson absence this Sunday against the Jets could work even more in Rodriguez's favor now that Williams is in concussion protocol, though it's also possible the Commanders expand Gibson's role a bit.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Ruled out for Week 15
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Robinson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at the Rams, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Robinson hasn't practiced since injuring his hamstring in a Week 13 loss to Miami and now will miss Washington's first game since the Week 14 bye. Antonio Gibson likely will get the start and take more carries than usual, but rookie Chris Rodriguez also may take some of the snaps and carries that Robinson typically handles on early downs. Robinson's next chance to play will be Week 16 against the Jets on Sunday, Dec. 24.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Remains sidelined at practice
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Robinson (hamstring) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.
For a second day in a row, Robinson was held out of drills due to a hamstring issue, but he was spotted working with team trainers on the side during Thursday's session, per John Keim of ESPN.com. The development may indicate that Robinson has a chance to practice Friday, but if he doesn't, there's also the possibility that the Commanders rule him out upon posting their final Week 15 injury report. If Robinson is limited or sidelined Sunday at the Rams, Antonio Gibson would be in line for a bigger role, with Chris Rodriguez on hand for complementary reps.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Not practicing due to hamstring
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Robinson (hamstring) isn't practicing Wednesday, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Robinson missed the second half of Washington's Week 13 loss to Miami and apparently is still tending to the hamstring injury after a Week 14 bye. If he can't play in Sunday's game against the Rams, the Commanders likely will deploy Antonio Gibson in a larger role and use Chris Rodriguez for some of the early down work normally handled by Robinson.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Exits early due to hamstring injury
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The Commanders have ruled out Robinson for the second half of Sunday's game against the Dolphins due to a hamstring injury.
Robinson carried seven times for 53 yards and went without a target through the first two quarters of the game before departing. The extent of Robinson's injury isn't known, but the second-year running back will at least have the benefit of a well-timed Week 14 bye to recover from the health concern before the Commanders return to action Dec. 17 against the Rams. Washington will get by with Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez as its running backs for the remainder of Sunday's contest.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Held in check in Thanksgiving loss
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Robinson carried the ball 15 times for 53 yards and caught two of three targets for 11 yards in Thursday's 45-10 loss to the Cowboys.
The Commanders kept things fairly close in the first half and were only down 20-10, allowing them to keep Robinson involved in the offense, but once things got away from them after the break the running game became an afterthought. The second-year RB also briefly left the contest in the second quarter to get checked for a concussion, but he was cleared to return. After two straight games with over 100 scrimmage yards, Robinson returned to the mediocre production level he's been stuck in most of the season, both due to game script and his own lackluster 4.0 yards per carry average. He'll try to get rolling again in Week 13 against the Dolphins, as the Commanders do their best to keep Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill on the sideline.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Another big day as pass catcher
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Robinson rushed the ball 17 times for 73 yards in Sunday's 31-19 loss to the Giants. He added seven receptions on nine targets for 58 yards.
Robinson saw a season-high 24 touches in the absence of Antonio Gibson (toe) and topped 100 total yards for the second consecutive game as a result. He ripped off gains of 18 and 11 yards on the ground to reach 70 rushing yards for the third time this season. However, for the second consecutive week, his most impressive work came as a pass catcher, as he led the team in targets and receptions while tying for the team lead in receiving yards. Robinson hasn't been all that impressive as a rusher throughout the campaign, but he'll have an extra path to production so long as Sam Howell chooses to rely on him as a primary checkdown option.
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Commanders' Brian Robinson: Career day as receiver
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Robinson took eight carries for 38 yards while catching all six of his targets for 119 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-26 loss to Seattle.
Robinson's big day as a pass catcher resulted in a new single-game high in receiving yards while nearly doubling the combined air production from his previous nine contests in one fell swoop. The second-year back did finish with single-digit carries for the third time this season, but he offset the low usage as a rusher by providing a fantasy line most managers would be content with from their top wide receiver. The Alabama product has been a strong contributor through 10 games this season, combining for 741 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns over that span. Robinson could stay hot in Week 11 with a favorable matchup against a banged-up Giants squad next Sunday.
