Watch Commanders’ Brian Robinson partake in first practice since getting shot

Doubt Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson at your own risk. Just 37 days after Robinson sustained gunshot wounds during an attempted robbery or carjacking in Washington, D.C., the Commanders designated the rookie to return to practice on Wednesday, opening the 21-day window to activate him and move him to the active roster or keep him on the NFI list for the rest of the year.

It’s impossible to wrap your head around Robinson returning to football less than two months after he was shot twice. Incredibly, the bullets went through his knee and somehow eluded his ligaments, tendons and bones. Any damage to one of those likely would’ve seen Robinson sidelined much longer.

Robinson underwent immediate surgery to treat the wounds, which have since healed, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

As for the Commanders activating Robinson, things took a massive step in that direction Wednesday, when the 2022 third-round pick returned to practice for the first time since the incident. Here’s Robinson’s long-awaited first practice rep, as provided by The Athletic’s Ben Standig.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson back practicing Wednesday less than two months after getting shot.

The Commanders kept Robinson on their initial 53-man roster after the incident, hinting he could return earlier than expected. He was moved to the non-football injury list, knocking him out the first four games. This Sunday against the Titans is the earliest Robinson could return. While Ron Rivera hasn’t said whether Robinson will be active, he likes the player’s chances of getting the green light.

Based on Robinson’s practice footage, he doesn’t look like a player who’s being eased back into things. He looks motivated to get cleared for Sunday.

How about another clip of Robinson catching a pass from Carson Wentz?

The Commanders drafted Robinson for his punishing rushing style, but he impressed coaches with his pass-catching ability during camp.

If you have any doubts about Robinson’s prospects for Week 5, here’s a little montage of the 23-year-old’s warm-up reps from Wednesday.

Again, you wouldn’t know he was shot twice 37 days ago.

With the aerial attack sputtering, the Commanders’ running game has been the lone positive on the offensive side of the ball the last two games. Antonio Gibson is running hard, but still laboring to the tune of 3.3 yards per carry this season. Jonathan Williams provided a spark in Week 4 against the Cowboys, but it goes without saying the attack will benefit from Robinson’s return.

In two preseason games before the incident, Robinson took 14 carries for 57 yards (4.07 yards per attempt) and a touchdown, wowing fans with the ease in which he bounced off defenders and manufactured positive yards in the finest of holes.

It’s incredible Robinson is in this position. His status for Sunday is still uncertain, but we’re definitely inching closer to his legendary comeback coming to fruition.