According to NFL Media and NBC Sports Washington, rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. was wounded multiple times as the target of an attempted robbery the day after sitting out the Commanders’ preseason finale in hopes of playing a significant role this regular season. Robinson, a third-round draft pick this spring out of Alabama, is in stable condition with non-life-threatening wounds during a suspected carjacking attempt, according to ESPN.
According to Tom Pelissero, the 23-year-old Robinson is currently in the hospital after at least two bullets hit his lower body during the attempted heist. The incident occurred in the district’s 1000 block of H Street, NE, just before 6 p.m. ET, according to Dustin Sternbeck, the Metro Police Department’s director of communications in Washington.
Robinson was found by the responding officers to have “a couple gunshot wounds to his lower extremities,” according to Sternbeck. He was sent right away to a nearby hospital. Police have identified two possible suspects, and a gun not far from the scene of the event. He claimed that it is still unclear to the investigators whether Robinson was the target of a carjacking or merely an attempted armed robbery.
I just got done visiting w/Brian. He is in good spirits and wanted me to thank everyone for their kind words, prayers & support. He wants his teammates to know he appreciates them all for reaching out and he loves them all & will be back soon doing what he does best.
— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) August 29, 2022
His immediate future on the pitch is uncertain. Ron Rivera, the head coach of Washington, claimed to have paid Robinson a visit on Sunday evening as well. The following statement was made public by the Commanders:
“We have been made aware that Brian Robinson Jr. was the victim of an attempted armed robbery or carjacking in Washington, D.C. He sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is currently being treated at the hospital, where team officials are on-site with him. We ask that you please respect Brian’s privacy at this time.”
Washington made the selection of the former Alabama star in the third round of the draft in April. Last season, while playing for the Crimson Tide, he amassed a career-high 1,343 running yards and 14 touchdowns, assisting them in making it to the national championship game.
Robinson did not participate in Saturday’s exhibition game between the Ravens and Washington. Over the course of their first two preseason contests, he had 14 carries for 57 yards and a touchdown. Along with Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic, the 23-year-old was anticipated to contribute significantly to the Commanders’ run game this year.
