San Francisco 49ers trade for Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson
1 of 5 | Running back Brian Robinson Jr., joined the Washington Commanders as a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
The Washington Commanders agreed to trade fourth-year running back Brian Robinson Jr., to the San Francisco 49ers, a league source told UPI on Friday.
Robinson totaled 799 yards and eight scores on 187 carries and 159 yards on 20 catches over 14 appearances last season for the Commanders. He totaled a career-best 1,101 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns over 15 starts in 2023.
The third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft totaled 2,916 yards from scrimmage and 20 scores through his first three seasons. He made 41 appearances, including 37 starts over that span.
Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Commanders will save $3.3 million in salary cap space with the trade.
The fourth-year ball-carrier was listed as the starting running back on the Commanders’ unofficial depth chart. Austin Ekeler is listed as the Commanders’ second-string running back, ahead of Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jacory Croskey-Merritt, among others.
He is now expected to fill in behind 49ers starter Christian McCaffrey. Isaac Guerendo, Jordan James and Corey Kiner are among the 49ers’ backup running backs.
Robinson did not appear in the Commanders’ first two preseason games. Rodriguez totaled 84 yards on 12 carries in those matchups. Croskey-Merritt ran for 70 yards and a score on 18 carries.
Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt combined for 108 rushing yards and a score on 17 carries in the Commanders’ 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday in Landover, Md.
The Commanders will host the Baltimore Ravens in their preseason finale at noon EDT Saturday at Northwest Stadium. The 49ers will host the Los Angeles Chargers in their final preseason game at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Santa Clara, Calif.