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49ers Land Brian Robinson Jr. to Boost Backfield and Fan Optimism
49ers Land Brian Robinson Jr. to Boost Backfield and Fan Optimism 2 Brian Robinson Jr. rushes past a Titans defender (Image via IMAGO)

49ers Land Brian Robinson Jr. to Boost Backfield and Fan Optimism

Originally posted on FirstSportz  |  By Ishan Misra  |  Last updated Aug 23, 2025 3:34 AM ET

Fans began speculating about Brian Robinson Jr.’s future with the Commanders after he did not play a single snap in the first two preseason games.

On Friday, a day before the Commanders’ preseason finale against the Ravens, Robinson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers sent a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to the Commanders.

Commanders’ Head coach Dan Quinn earlier this week had confirmed that they were actively seeking to trade the former third-round running back.

There’s just a lot of moving parts this time of year. Those things take place. And so I just wanted to make sure that’s my responsibility to let the team know whenever I can so they’re not hearing any information from anywhere else.

Dan Quinn had said (H/T: Kevin Patra of NFL)

Robinson is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal. According to Spotrac, he is set to earn $3.4 million. The Commanders agreed to pay a portion of the sum; in return, they will save $3 million on the cap.

Brian Robinson Jr. to back up Christian McCaffrey at the 49ers

It’s a welcoming move for the 49ers. They lost Elijah Mitchell in the offseason. Isaac Guerendo , Jordan James , and Corey Kiner barely featured in the preseason.

Brian Robinson Jr. will back up Christian McCaffrey. Even though the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year practiced during the Niners camp, there are still question marks about his fitness.

The Niners are getting a solid back. Robinson posted 730+ yards in each of his three seasons in the nation’s capital, averaging nearly 4 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Most Alabamians remember the 26-year-old from a tragic incident in 2022. Robinson was shot during a robbery (carjacking), forcing him to undergo knee surgery. He missed the final year of his eligibility.

Robinson played 13 games in 2024 and finished second behind quarterback Jayden Daniels in the yards column. He racked up 799 yards and added eight touchdowns.

Before the injury, Robinson played 55 games, racking up 545 carries for 2704 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.

Quinn and general manager Adam Peters decided to go through with the trade because the Commanders have a stacked running back room.

Going into training camp, we really thought this was a deep room… Demetric Felton and Kazmeir [Allen], Bill [Jacory Croskey-Merritt], and Eck [ Austin Ekeler] .

Quinn said

Quinn hasn’t announced the official RB1 for 2025. Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols are both in the mix to lead the Commanders in week one. However, Croskey-Merritt might have something to say about that. The seventh-rounder posted 18 carries for 60+ yards in the preseason to win over the fans and the team’s trust.

The Commanders welcome the Ravens at home in their final prep game before hosting divisional rivals the New York Giants (3-0 in preseason) in the season opener.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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