Brian Robinson Jr. released from hospital after shooting

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. has been released from the hospital where he was being treated after he was shot twice in an armed robbery attempt in the District.

Robinson was wounded Sunday around 5:30 p.m. when two teenage boys tried to rob the rookie in the 1000 block of H Street NE, District police said. The 23-year-old wrestled away a gun from one of his attackers, but was shot by the other. A police spokesperson said Robinson suffered gunshot wounds in his leg and hip.

Robinson, who underwent surgery after the attack, visited the Commanders’ facility Tuesday to meet with team doctors, as well as see coaches and teammates. The rookie also made the Commanders’ initial 53-man roster, though coach Ron Rivera reiterated that there was no timeline yet for when the running back could return to the field. According to multiple reports, the bullet that went through Robinson’s knee did not damage any bone or ligament. 

“The biggest thing is more so than anything else is the reports that it didn’t hit anything and didn’t do any structural damage for the most part is true to a degree,” said Rivera, who did not clarify what “to a degree” meant. “Now it’s a matter of how he works through his rehab program. That is still to be determined. … This is a very unfortunate and very unique situation.”

District Police released images of the two suspects late Monday. Both suspects are believed to be between the ages of 15 and 17. Police recovered a firearm not far from the scene and later discovered the suspects’ getaway vehicle abandoned in Hyattsville, Maryland. That car had been reported as stolen days earlier. 

An initial public incident report said that a pair of car keys were stolen at the scene, but police later said that “the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle without obtaining any property.”

Drafted in the third round out of Alabama, Robinson was expected to play a big role for the Commanders in 2022 as he appeared to seize the starting running back job from Antonio Gibson. The 6-foot-2 rookie impressed coaches with his physical rushing style, gaining 57 rushing yards on 14 carries in two preseason games. He did not play in Saturday’s finale against the Baltimore Ravens. 

In a video posted on the team’s social media channels Tuesday, Robinson, using crutches, greeted running backs coach Randy Jordan, assistant running backs coach Jennifer King and Rivera.  Robinson said it was “good to be back.” 

The Commanders, though, have options with Robinson’s spot if they need roster flexibility. Washington, for example, could place Robinson on the non-football-injury list,  though that would require him to miss at least four games.  Rivera said putting Robinson on the 53-man roster initially gives Washington “a little bit of time” to sort through the situation.

“He’s going to be re-examined by the doctors,” Rivera said. “They’ll continue to look at him. What we are looking for is that we are looking for a timeline. Anything close to a certain situation, we will do one thing. Close to another situation, we will do something else. That was the whole idea of having him on the 53.”