It’s easy to characterize Saturday’s game as just preseason, the first at that. However, the biggest takeaway from the Washington Commanders’ 2022 debut against the Carolina Panthers, the chance there’s a changing of the guard brewing at running back between Antonio Gibson and rookie Brian Robinson.
Gibson’s struggles with ball protection continues to be a concern. He lost a fumble on his second carry of the game. Panthers linebacker Cory Littleton punched the ball free just as Gibson was going down to the turf. Carolina recovered the fumble at Washington’s 19-yard line.
Three plays later, the Panthers turned Gibson’s fumble into a touchdown, as quarterback Sam Darnold found wide receiver Rashard Higgins in the end zone. The score extended the Panthers’ lead to 10-0 in the first quarter.
On the Commanders’ next possession Robinson was in the game with starters while Gibson watched from the sidelines. The move by Washington’s coaching staff wasn’t surprising. Gibson dealt with fumbling issues last season when he led all non-quarterbacks with six fumbles and four fumbles lost.
Meanwhile, Robinson, a third-round pick in this year’s draft out of Alabama, shined immediately. His first NFL carry went for 11 yards. On the very next play he took a dump off pass nine yards. Then Robinson grinded out an impressive drive, culminating with him scoring a one-yard touchdown to get Washington on the board.
As Gibson looked on, Robinson had six carries for 26 yards and a touchdown along with two catches for 15 yards.
After the game, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera praised his rookie running back.
“I think Brian showed why we drafted him,” Rivera proclaimed, per the Athletic’s Ben Standig.
Later in the second quarter, Gibson returned to the field. This time with the second unit. looking to regain his confidence. He squeaked out two yards on four carries with one catch for two yards.
Saturday was just the first preseason game. But, the narrative has already shifted. An impressive first showing seemingly slid Robinson in the front of the pack.
“I just felt like, I’m here now, you know what I’m saying?” Robinson said, per Michael Phillips of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. I’m here to stay, too… I got the chance to show people who I am, and there’s a lot more to come.”
Robinson is confident and ready to become the Commanders featured running back. Gibson must overcome his fumbling woes or else the changing in the guard may be inevitable.
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