Brian Robinson Jr. entered the NFL with plenty of expectations after the Washington Commanders selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was viewed as a strong, physical running back who had the vision and patience to become an important part of Washington’s offense.
But his rookie season quickly became something nobody expected.
Instead of simply learning the NFL and working toward becoming Washington’s primary running back, Robinson had to recover from being shot twice in the leg. He later dealt with knee surgery and the physical challenges that followed. His first season became less about showing everything he could do and more about getting back onto the field.
Even with all of those obstacles, Robinson eventually gave the Commanders a glimpse of the player they believed they had drafted.
Now, he wants to show what that player can really look like when he is healthy.
Brian Robinson Jr. Faced an Unthinkable Start to His NFL Career
Robinson’s journey took a shocking turn on Aug. 28 when he was shot twice in Washington, D.C., while going out to dinner with a friend.
According to police, the incident was an attempted carjacking or robbery. Robinson was struck in his right knee and hip, but he was able to wrestle the gun away from one of the people involved.
The incident could have ended his football career before it really started. Instead, Robinson focused on recovering.
Two teenagers were eventually sentenced to six and four years, respectively, in youth services custody, with each sentence lasting until the individual turned 21.
For Robinson, the physical recovery was only one part of the challenge. He also had to deal with the mental side of returning to football after such a traumatic event.
That made his rookie season unlike anything he had planned.
He Missed Four Games After Surgery
Robinson had been expected to become Washington’s primary runner during his rookie season. Instead, he underwent surgery and missed the first four games.
When he finally returned, it was clear that he was still trying to regain his form.
Through his first 108 carries, Robinson averaged only 3.4 yards per attempt. Those numbers did not tell the whole story, though.
He was still recovering, still adjusting to the NFL and still getting comfortable with his knee.
Then something changed.
Robinson put together a three-game stretch in which he averaged 5.7 yards per carry and rushed for a combined 290 yards.
That was the stretch when Washington began seeing the running back it had expected to see when it drafted him.
His vision became more noticeable. His ability to make one cut and get downhill started showing up. He also demonstrated the physical running style that had made him such an impressive prospect at Alabama.
One of the memorable moments came when Robinson ran over an Atlanta Falcons player during a carry, giving fans a reminder of how powerful he could be.
Brian Robinson Jr. Finished With 797 Rushing Yards
Robinson’s full rookie season ended with 797 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 3.9 yards per carry.
Those numbers were solid considering everything he had experienced, but Robinson did not view the season as a complete representation of his abilities.
He knew he had more to offer.
Coach Ron Rivera said a thigh contusion slowed Robinson after his impressive three-game run. Rivera also believed the team had already seen enough to understand what Robinson could become.
The Commanders had watched him compete through an extremely difficult year, and they believed his best football was still ahead.
That belief was shared by running backs coach Randy Jordan.
Jordan recalled Robinson telling him during the offseason that the team had not yet seen the real version of him.
Jordan’s response was simple: he wanted Robinson to show it.
That challenge became part of Robinson’s motivation heading into the next season.
Robinson Says He Feels Like Himself Again
The biggest difference for Robinson was how his body felt.
After spending much of the previous season dealing with the effects of the shooting and his recovery, he entered the next offseason feeling significantly better.
Robinson described the difference as being almost night and day.
That matters for a running back because so much of the position depends on confidence in your legs.
A runner needs to make cuts without hesitation. He needs to trust his knee when changing direction. He needs to accelerate through a hole without thinking about whether his body can handle the movement.
For Robinson, getting that confidence back was a major part of his comeback.
Jordan noticed it too.
He said Robinson’s confidence in his leg had improved, while his initial quickness and explosion were also better than they had been.
That is a significant development for a player whose running style depends on power, vision and decisive cuts.
His Running Style Could Make Him a Key Part of Washington’s Offense
Robinson has never needed to be the fastest running back on the field to be effective.
His strength is the ability to see a running lane, make a decisive cut and continue moving forward.
Jordan particularly likes Robinson’s ability to turn what appears to be a short gain into something much bigger.
A play that looks like it might produce two yards can suddenly become six or seven because Robinson keeps his balance, finds space and continues pushing.
That type of running can become extremely valuable over the course of an NFL season.
It also fits the physical identity Robinson has developed since his college days.
The Commanders saw those traits when he played at Alabama, and his coaches believe he can now combine those skills with improved confidence and explosiveness.
Robinson Wants a Bigger Role in the Passing Game
One of the most interesting parts of Robinson’s development is his desire to become more than a traditional running back.
He has made it clear that he does not want to be one-dimensional.
Under new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Robinson expected to have more opportunities in the passing game.
That could give Washington another way to use him.
During practice, Robinson showed that he could contribute as a receiver, including making a one-handed catch along the sideline while running routes.
Those moments are important because modern NFL running backs are often asked to do much more than carry the ball.
They need to understand passing concepts, recognize protections, catch the football and create opportunities after the catch.
If Robinson can become a reliable receiving option while maintaining his physical running style, his value to Washington could grow considerably.
Antonio Gibson Still Has an Important Role
Robinson was expected to remain Washington’s primary running back, while Antonio Gibson was projected to handle much of the third-down work.
That setup could give the Commanders a useful combination.
Robinson can bring physicality and early-down rushing ability, while Gibson can provide versatility in passing situations.
The two backs can also help keep each other fresh over a long season.
For Robinson, however, the goal was not simply to share the workload. He wanted to prove that he could handle more responsibility.
His development as a receiver could make that easier.
If he can stay on the field in passing situations, defenses cannot assume Washington will run the ball whenever Robinson is in the backfield.
That type of versatility can make an offense harder to predict.
His Mental Strength Has Become Part of His Story
It is difficult to separate Robinson’s football comeback from everything he went through away from the field.
He was a young player beginning his professional career when he experienced a traumatic shooting.
Then came surgery, missed games and the challenge of trying to perform at the highest level while his body was still recovering.
Yet Robinson continued working.
His teammates noticed his attitude.
Antonio Gibson described him as someone who consistently maintains a positive outlook and arrives ready to work.
That attitude has become one of the strongest parts of Robinson’s story.
His comeback is not simply about rushing yards or touchdowns. It is also about the patience required to rebuild confidence and return to feeling comfortable in his own body.
Robinson Remains Thankful for His Second Chance
Robinson has repeatedly expressed gratitude for how his situation turned out.
The shooting could have had a much more serious outcome. Instead, he was able to recover and eventually return to professional football.
He has made it clear that he does not take that opportunity for granted.
Robinson said he is thankful for the people who supported him from the moment everything happened.
That appreciation appears to have shaped his outlook.
For a young player, an experience like this can change the way football is viewed. Every practice, game and opportunity becomes a little more meaningful.
Robinson’s comments suggest he understands that.
The Commanders Believe They Drafted the Right Player
Washington’s coaching staff did not lose confidence in Robinson after his difficult rookie season.
In fact, his ability to return from such a difficult situation only strengthened their belief in him.
Jordan said Robinson was everything he expected and possibly more.
The coach specifically pointed to his confidence in his leg, improved explosion and better initial quickness.
Those improvements could make a major difference.
The player Washington drafted at Alabama had vision, physical strength and one-cut ability. The version of Robinson returning after his rookie season had already shown flashes of those qualities.
Now the Commanders wanted to see them consistently.
What Comes Next for Brian Robinson Jr.?
The biggest question surrounding Robinson was no longer whether he could return.
He had already answered that.
The question was how good he could become now that he was healthier and more confident.
His rookie year produced 797 rushing yards despite missing four games and dealing with the effects of a major physical and emotional setback.
A full season could give him an opportunity to build on that foundation.
The Commanders expected him to remain their primary runner, and Robinson wanted to become more explosive while also contributing more in the passing game.
If those improvements continued, he could develop into one of the more important pieces of Washington’s offense.
There was still work to do, as Rivera acknowledged, but the potential was obvious.
Brian Robinson Jr. Has Something to Prove
Robinson’s rookie season will always be remembered because of what happened before he ever had a chance to establish himself in the NFL.
But he does not want that season to define his career.
He wants people to judge him by what he can do when he is healthy.
That is why his statement that people should expect much more carried so much weight.
He knew he had spent much of his first season fighting through circumstances that had nothing to do with football.
Now he wanted to show the player Washington believed it drafted.
His coaches saw better cuts. They saw more confidence. They saw improved explosion and quickness.
His teammates saw a positive player who continued working.
And Robinson saw something even more important.
He finally felt like himself again.
For the Washington Commanders, that could be the most exciting development of all. The rookie season showed that Robinson could survive adversity. The seasons ahead would give him the chance to show just how good he can actually be.