Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. Gives Update on Ankle Injury

The Washington Commanders lost the game and running back Brian Robinson Jr. last Sunday, but they could get the player back in hopes of getting a win this weekend.
Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) carries the ball as Carolina Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson (2) and Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson (52) defends during the second half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) carries the ball as Carolina Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson (2) and Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson (52) defends during the second half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images / Amber Searls-Imagn Images
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The Washington Commanders simply run better when Brian Robinson Jr. is on the field, both in their ground game and as a team as a whole.

So when he left last weekend's Commanders loss to the Dallas Cowboys after his first carry with an ankle injury there was a bit of wind taken out of the home crowd's sails.

When he returned, he did so to a welcoming roar of cheers, and then as he didn't come back in after halftime and Washington squandered away a golden opportunity to get back in the win column, it became more clear than ever that Robinson is vitally important to what the offense is trying to do.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr.
Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) carries the ball as Carolina Panthers cornerback Michael Jackson (2) and Panthers linebacker DJ Johnson (52) defends during the second half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images / Amber Searls-Imagn Images

It was good news then, that Robinson was back on the practice field Wednesday as the Commanders got started with their preparation for this weekend's matchup against the Tennessee Titans, another winnable game on paper.

"It was a surprising day today actually. I was actually able to go out and put strength on it and move around and I felt pretty good for what I was doing today," Robinson told reporters like the Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala following the practice. "I'm just looking forward to just making some great progress this week, which I expect to do. And if all goes well then yes, I will play Sunday. So I'm glad I was able to go out there today to just move around to see where I was at, and I think I'm in a great spot."

It's not a sure thing, of course, and Robinson will have to see how his ankle responds to the day's work before potentially ramping it up for Thursday - typically the most competitive day of the week.

But any optimism is welcome, especially after Washington lost running back Austin Ekeler as well in Sunday's loss, and it looks like will have to play without him for at least this week if not longer.


Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

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David Harrison
DAVID HARRISON

David Harrison has covered the NFL since 2015 as a digital content creator in both written and audio media. He is the host of Locked On Commanders and a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. His previous career was as a Military Working Dog Handler for the United States Army. Contact David via email at david.w.harrison82@gmail.com or on Twitter @DHarrison82.