Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The San Francisco 49ers made the trade for Brian Robinson Jr. official on Sunday, announcing the deal with the Washington Commanders. To make room on the roster, the team has waived WR Malik Knowles.
On Friday, it was reported that the 49ers acquired running back Brian Robinson in a trade with the Commanders. The trade has widely been praised by fans and media, especially considering the 49ers’ dire need for help at the position. San Francisco was forced to part ways with two running backs (Patrick Taylor, Jr. and Corey Kiner) due to injury in the past week, and has been without rookie RB Jordan James for much of training camp. James did not play in any of the three preseason games.
The move has also been praised because Robinson should be an excellent backup to Christian McCaffrey, who is returning from two injuries and is reaching the age when many NFL running backs begin to slow down. Adding Robinson for the 2025 season could help take some wear and tear off McCaffrey’s 29-year-old legs.
Saturday night, in his postgame press conference, following the team’s 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan suggested Robinson was brought in to be McCaffrey’s top backup. “We brought him here to be our two back. Always been a big fan of Brian,” Shanahan said. “Loved him coming out of college. He’s done really well going against him, and we were pumped that he was available and we were pumped that we were able to get him.”
Robinson, a three-year vet, has been a solid running back for the Commanders. As a rookie, he rushed for 797 yards, despite playing in only 12 games (nine starts). In 2023, Robinson played in 15 games (with 15 starts) and rushed for 733 yards and scored five rushing touchdowns. But he was more prolific as a receiver out of the backfield that season, with 36 catches for 368 yards and four touchdowns.
Last season was Robinson’s best on the ground. He rushed for 799 yards in 14 games (13 starts) and scored eight rushing touchdowns. In the 2024 postseason, Robinson rushed for 129 yards in three games, while scoring two touchdowns. He also added 22 yards and one touchdown as a receiver.
Robinson should be ready to play in the 49ers’ season opener in Seattle on Sunday, September 7th.
The San Francisco 49ers running back room is among the many positions that injuries throughout training camp have decimated. On Friday, the team addressed its depth by acquiring Brian Robinson Jr. in a trade with the Washington Commanders.
Here’s how the 49ers’ backfield…
The San Francisco 49ers made headlines Friday morning, acquiring running back Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The move strengthens a running back room that has been plagued by injuries, providing insurance behind…
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the San Francisco 49ers have completed their second trade of the week, acquiring running back Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. The team previously traded for former Kansas City…
The recent trade with the Washington Commanders for running back Brian Robinson was music to my ears. The money is right, the player is right, and I really have no idea why the Commanders would let him go.
I am familiar with Robinson because, as an Alabama grad, I watched him…