The Washington Commanders placed rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. on the reserve/non-football injury list, the team announced Thursday. That will rule him out for at least the first four games of the season.
Robinson was shot twice during an attempted armed robbery on Sunday in Washington, D.C. One of the bullets struck him in the knee, however, it missed all major tendons, ligaments and bone.
He underwent surgery on Monday and was released from the hospital. He’s been back at the Commanders facility for treatment since Tuesday.
The Commanders included Robinson on their initial 53-man roster, leaving hope he would return at some point this season. Placing him on NFI takes the pressure off him to rush back on the field. It also frees up a roster spot in the meantime.
Washington also included J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams at running back on their 53-man roster. They also signed Jaret Patterson to the practice squad on Wednesday.
Washington drafted Robinson in the third round of this year’s draft out of Alabama. He impressed throughout training camp and preseason. As a result, he emerged ahead of incumbent Antonio Gibson for starting running back prior to the shooting.
Fortunately, the 23-year old survived the shooting. Now, he will be able to focus on getting close to 100 percent healthy, physically and mentally, before having to worry about the start of his NFL career.
