Commanders trade running back Brian Robinson to 49ers

Brian Robinson (Twitter)

The Washington Commanders traded running back Brian Robinson Jr. of Tuscaloosa, Alabama to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth round pick in the 2026 National Football League Draft on Friday according to Rogers Sportsnet. The 49ers were looking for running back depth as Christian McCaffrey of Castle Rock, Colorado has had his fair share of injuries in his career. Just last season McCaffrey only played four games due to an Achilles injury to begin the season and a knee injury which ended his season. 

Robinson Jr. is joining his second NFL franchise. He played the last three seasons with the Washington Commanders. In 2024, Robinson had 187 rushes for 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He added 20 catches for 159 receiving yards.

Three times Robinson Jr. eclipsed 100 yards in rushing during a game. He had 133 rushing yards on September 15 in a 21-18 Commanders win over the New York Giants, 101 rushing yards on September 29 in a 42-14 Commanders win over the Arizona Cardinals. and 103 rushing yards in a 42-19 Commanders win over the Tennessee Titans on December 1. Robinson also had two touchdowns in a 34-13 Commanders win over the Cleveland Browns on October 6.

Now with Robinson Jr. in San Francisco, Austin Ekeler of Lincoln, Nebraska will be the definite number one back for the Commanders this season. In Ekeler’s first season in Washington in 2024 after seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, Ekeler had 77 rushes for 367 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and 35 catches for 366 receiving yards. He missed five weeks last season with two separate concussions. It will be interesting to see how Ekeler performs this season at age 30.