Sobering Brian Robinson update shows RB could return earlier than expected

The Washington Commanders’ initial 53-man roster had a plethora of surprises, including the inclusion of Brian Robinson Jr.

The rookie running back was shot twice in his lower extremities during an attempted carjacking Sunday in Washington. He was hospitalized in stable condition and underwent surgery to treat his injuries before getting released Monday.

Even better? Robinson was back at the Commanders’ facility Tuesday fulfilling his rookie duty of supplying the running back room with snacks. The video of Robinson handing a package of Oreos to RBs coach Randy Jordan is enough to leave fans in a puddle of their own tears; happy ones, of course.

It’s been all positive on the Robinson front since Sunday night.

However, things got pretty dark on “NFL Now” Tuesday when insider Mike Garafolo provided an injury update on the budding rookie that shows just how lucky he is to be alive, let alone to have avoided a career-altering injury.

Per Garafolo, the bullet that hit his knee missed all the vital parts of the joint; ligaments, tendons, bones and all.

The Commanders will place running back Brian Robinson on the reserve/non-football injury list.

"“First of all, lucky to be alive,” Garafolo said. “Sounds like he’s very fortunate from a football standpoint with the impact of the bullet that him in the knee, apparently missed all of the major parts of the knee. Ligaments, tendons, and bones, went through his knee and somehow did not create massive damage.”"

There’s currently no timeline for Robinson’s return, but this sobering update suggests he could avoid any of the dreaded season-ending “lists.” Given the circumstance of his injuries, the third-round pick out of Alabama would be a candidate for the non-football injury list.

The return rules or players on the NFI are the same for those on the PUP, so Robinson would miss a minimum of four games if he goes on the NFI List. That’s precisely the course of action the Commanders have opted for, as NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday morning.

This is clearly a very fluid situation, but the fact Robinson is on the 53-man roster is an encouraging sign for his short-term outlook.

The Commanders elected to keep Antonio Gibson, JD McKissic and Jonathan Williams at running back alongside Robinson. It’s anyone’s guess how the rotation shakes out, but Rivera said Gibson’s still in the mix to be the kick returner even though he’s rushing workload will increase with Robinson shelved.

We’ll worry about the RB rotation when we get closer to Week 1. For now, we’re just thankful Robinson made it out alive and avoided a catastrophic injury.