Report: Commanders could cut this key offensive player

The Washington Commanders appear to be setting the stage to move on from one of their key offense players ahead of the 2025 season.

Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. was not in attendance for his team's preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Monday night. Robinson is in the final year of his rookie contract, and there have been reports that Washington is shopping him in trade talks.

According to ESPN's John Keim, the Commanders may part ways with Robinson even if they cannot trade him. Keim wrote on Monday that Washington "could end up cutting Robinson" if the team is unable to find a trade suitor for the 26-year-old.

The Commanders still have veteran Austin Ekeler in their backfield. They also acquired Deebo Samuel in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, and the wide receiver has taken plenty of snaps at running back throughout his career. Beyond the two former Pro Bowlers, Washington has a plethora of less experienced backs, including seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt.

Keim notes that Robinson has operated as Washington's lead back throughout much of training camp. The former third-round pick also rushed for a career-high 799 yards and eight touchdowns last season, which is why some are surprised that the Commanders seem committed to moving on from him.

Robinson was shot multiple times in an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C., just months after the Commanders drafted him out of Alabama in 2022. He underwent surgery on his leg after the shooting but still played in 12 games as a rookie.