ASHBURN — Brian Robinson Jr. participated in agility drills Wednesday on the side field during the Washington Commanders’ practice, two weeks after the running back was shot twice in an armed robbery attempt.
The workout marked Robinson’s first on-field work since the attack. The 23-year-old was wounded Aug. 28 when two teenage boys confronted the third-rounder on the 1000 block of H Street NE. Robinson wrested away a gun from one of his attackers, but was shot by the other. Robinson, who needed surgery to remove the bullets, was released from the hospital days later.
With part of the practice open to reporters, Robinson was seen running side-to-side on a speed ladder and working with trainers. He wore a bandage around his right leg.
Since he’s on the non-football-injury list, Robinson won’t be eligible to return until at least Week 5. But the progress is encouraging for Robinson and the Commanders, who have maintained the running back was “very fortunate” to avoid a serious injury.
“It was good to see him out there,” coach Ron Rivera said. “He is progressing very well. Each week he gets to see the doctors and the trainers. They felt now is a good time to see how he does outside. We will see how he reacts to everything tomorrow morning.”
Before the shooting, Robinson was poised to be the team’s starting running back — winning the job over Antonio Gibson. The team drafted Robinson, a 6-foot-2 bruising back with a physical rushing style, out of Alabama in April.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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