Commanders' Brian Robinson Named Starting RB, Less Than Two Months Since Gunshot Incident
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson, Jr. is a tough son of a gun.
After an impressive offseason with the Commanders, Robinson carried expectations of a sizable role in the offense.
An altercation involving two men carrying firearms threatened his whole career when one of the men took aim at Robinson and shot him twice. The injuries were non-life-threatening but Robinson's path to his first NFL game appeared steep.
Less than two months since the shooting, Robinson is preparing to operate as Washington's starting RB. Hours ahead of Thursday Night Football's kickoff between the Commanders and Chicago Bears, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport announced that Washington named Robinson as their lead running back for the Week 6 matchup.
Robinson usurped 1,000-yard rusher Antonio Gibson, but the feat was not nearly as impressive as his recovery from two bullet wounds and
Commanders Welcome Back Robinson
In Week 5 facing the Tennesse Titans, Robinson stepped on the field for his first NFL game — introduced gloriously by 50 Cent's "Many Men" playing across the FedEx Field speakers.
Due to Robinson's grit and steadfast recovery process, Washington's coaching staff felt confident that the young RB could return to action sooner than later. Now that decision is ready to pay off.
The touted Alabama running back will have his opportunity to be the star of Thursday's primetime game: facing the Bears run defense, which has given up the second-most rushing yards (850) through five weeks.
Good luck to the young fella.