The Commanders will hope to have RB Brian Robinson available in Week 9 vs. Giants
Game day update: The Commanders are optimistic that Brian Robinson will play on Sunday, per Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. They’ll make a final assessment in pre-game warmups, but they think he’ll play.
The Washington Commanders have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season in the FL. After winning off of a hail-mary as time expired last week against the Chicago bears, they have improved to 6-2 and lead the NFC East. A big reason for the Commanders success has been rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels who has hit the ground running as the number two overall pick.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Daniels’ rushing threat in the Commanders offense this season has been running back Brian Robinson. Robinson already had 461 yards in 2024 with a career-high six touchdowns and 4.6 yards per carry. The Commanders will hope to have their leading rusher available in Week 9 as he deals with a hamstring injury.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Commanders running back Brian Robinson is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Robinson was a limited participant in practice all week with a hamstring injury.
The Commanders running back has already missed one game this season with a knee injury. Hamstrings can be unpredictable, making Robinson a likely game time decision as he tests it out on Sunday morning. Robinson will be a player to watch on Sunday as the inactives lists get released. The Commanders play the Giants in the earlier slate of games at 1 p.m.
In the case that Robinson is able to play, he becomes a must-start on Sunday against the Giants despite the hamstring injury. The Commanders have one of the NFL’s best rushing offense, while the Giants rank in the bottom-5 in run defense. These two teams met back in Week 2 at FedEx Field in Washington. In that game, Robinson had 17 carries for 133 yards, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt. Robinson would be a riskier player because of the hamstring, but due to the matchup, the upside is too high to pass up.
However, if Robinson can’t go, Austin Ekeler is an immediate RB2 option. Ekeler has been more of the passing down running back and change of pace to Robinson this season. However, against the Ravens, it was Ekeler who led Commanders running backs in touches with nine carries to go with four receptions.
Against the Giants who are allowing the fourth-most EPA per rush, the game-script and defense should allow for a more run-heavy game plan. If Robinson is inactive, Ekeler would be in line for at least 10-15 carries to go with his usual workload in the passing game.
Jeremy McNichols would also likely see some time in the rotation with Ekeler if Robinson is out. McNichols could see some goal line work with Ekeler in the lineup. He has three touchdowns this season, including two in a 42-14 win against the Arizona Cardinals. McNichols had just two carries with Robinson out of the lineup. In games that have resulted in blowouts this season, McNichols has seven or more carries in each of those games. The Commanders are favored by only 3.5-points on the road against the Giants.
