Commanders insider triggers major uproar with shocking roster cut prediction

Adam Peters and Dan Quinn are about to embark on some difficult decisions over the next fortnight. The Washington Commanders have just two preseason games left before cut-down day, which trims the roster from 90 to the required 53 heading into the season.

Some players are roster locks. Others are fighting a losing battle. For a select few, it could still go either way. And even those who make the initial 53 might not be safe, depending on what options become available on the waiver wire.

It'll be interesting to see what the future holds for many. And one Commanders insider caused a stir by naming a shocking cut candidate on his recent podcast.

Commanders insider doesn't think Brian Robinson Jr. will be on the Week 1 roster

Ben Standig, previously of The Athletic, who now covers the team independently, made a surprising prediction around the running back room on his Last Man Standig podcast. He thought that the emergence of seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt could see Brian Robinson Jr. off the squad by the time Week 1 against the New York Giants rolls around.

I'm gonna guess Brian Robinson is not on the week one roster. I have no insight into that … If [Jacory] Croskey-Merritt's on this team, I just don't know how you're sitting him.Ben Standig

Even if Croskey-Merritt emerges as a prominent option on the rotation sooner than expected, it's hard to envisage a scenario where Robinson isn't leading the backfield charge.

He's experienced and knows how to gain hard yards in between the tackles. Robinson is also a red-zone threat, as evidenced by his eight rushing touchdowns last season. More importantly, being in a contract year has brought some extra focus and urgency from the Alabama product this summer.

Kliff Kingsbury and Quinn have praised Robinson for his work ethic and emerging leadership. Croskey-Merritt is blazing a trail and looks capable of far exceeding his draft status. However, removing the veteran and asking him to accumulate starting carries immediately represents a recipe for disaster.

Robinson and Austin Ekeler will be the running back tandem. Croskey-Merritt is the change of pace back who could increase his influence as the campaign progresses. That's the dynamic the Commanders are working with right now, and it would be a bombshell of epic proportions if it were shaken up at this juncture.

What the future holds beyond the current campaign for Robinson remains to be seen. He's out of contract and will need to perform extremely well to get another deal from the Commanders. But removing him ahead of time when there is so much at stake in 2025 is not an option.

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