Week 2: Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders

photo courtesy washington commanders

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., who rushed for a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Pro Football Player of the Week after helping the Commanders rally from an 18-point deficit for a 35-33 victory over the host Denver Broncos this past Sunday.

Robinson finished with 87 yards on 18 carries and also rushed for a two-point conversion as the Commanders started 2-0 for the first time since 2012.

“He’s a heck of a player,” Commanders quarterback Sam Howell said. “He’s worked so hard. It was so much fun watching him run today. The offensive line did a good job. There were some good holes for him to run through and he hit them.

“He runs hard. He runs physical. He makes the defense feel it every single time he touches the ball.”

The Commanders shook off an early 21-3 deficit but trailed 24-21 entering the fourth quarter. Robinson capped a 75-yard drive with a tough two-yard touchdown run up the middle, giving Washington the lead for good. On the Commanders’ next possession, Robinson finished off a 64-yard drive as he bounced to the left, shedded a would-be tackler and burst into the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown as a 35-24 lead.

“Once he got rolling, that is what the young man is capable of,” Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said. “This is indicative of what that young man can be.”

A second-year pro from the University of Alabama, Robinson was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was on track to be the Commanders’ starting running back out of training camp, but was shot twice in the leg when two men attempted to carjack Robinson after he left a restaurant in Northeast Washington. Robinson missed last season’s first four games before returning to rush for 797 yards and two touchdowns.