The Washington Commanders sent a message with their opening offensive script.
Leaning on their run game to great success on “Monday Night Football” against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Commanders showed why their reported decision to move on from running back Brian Robinson could be wise.
On the offense’s first play from scrimmage, quarterback Jayden Daniels handed wide receiver Deebo Samuel the ball on a jet sweep, and the offseason trade acquisition gained 19 yards.
On the following play, running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. gained 40 yards off right tackle, setting the Commanders up in the Bengals’ red zone.
After another designed run, Daniels scrambled 13 yards for a tying touchdown.
Bill Croskey-Merritt, a 2025 seventh-rounder, capped Washington’s second drive with a 27-yard touchdown run.
Earlier Monday, NFL insider Mike Garafolo shared that the Commanders and Robinson reached a “mutual decision” for the fourth-year running back to sit Monday’s preseason Week 2 game.
“A trade before the cut to the 53-man roster remains a possibility,” Garafolo wrote on social media.
Last season, Robinson, a 2022 third-round pick, set career highs in rush yards (799) and rush touchdowns (eight) ahead of a 2025 contract year.
As offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury showed with his play calling early against the Bengals, the Commanders have every right to be confident about their rushing attack sans Robinson.
Croskey-Merritt has made the most of his opportunities this preseason, gaining 56 yards on nine carries (6.2 yards per attempt), including 26 yards after contact, per Pro Football Focus data.
Veteran Austin Ekeler is entering his second season with the franchise, and while no longer at his peak, he remains a reliable option.
Samuel gives the Commanders another dimension in the run game as shown on their first offensive play, while Daniels, the team’s leading rusher a season ago, is always a threat to make plays with his legs.
Washington’s rushing attack looks to be in good shape even with Robinson no longer part of the equation. The Commanders couldn’t have made that message any more clear.
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