Tag: Brian Robinson Jr.

4 keys to a Commanders’ Week 15 win over the Saints

Here are four keys to a Commanders’ win on Sunday vs. Saints.

The Washington Commanders are right in the middle of a playoff race, which was impossible to imagine one year ago at this time. The Commanders were on their way to eight consecutive losses to end a 4-13 season.

Times have changed.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leads a record-setting offense, while the Washington defense is improving each week. On Sunday, the Commanders will add a critical component to their defense when Marshon Lattimore makes his debut. Washington traded for Lattimore at the NFL trade deadline last month, and he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Commanders enter Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Rams for the NFC’s No. 7 playoff seed. The Rams are red-hot, and Washington can’t afford to slip up against an injury-ravaged Saints squad.

What must the Commanders do to beat New Orleans? Here are four keys to victory.

Make Jake Haener’s life miserable

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Haener (3). Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jake Haener has appeared in several games for the Saints, but he will make his first NFL start on Sunday against the Commanders. The second-year quarterback leads an injury-depleted offense that has lost the likes of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Taysom Hill.

Washington’s defensive strategy is simple: Get after Haener early and often. New Orleans’ top receiver is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who it added in October. MVS is averaging 24 yards per reception and has four touchdowns since coming to the Saints, so expect him to see plenty of Lattimore. Ultimately, the goal is to keep the pressure on the Saints’ young quarterback.

Shut down Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41). Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Kamara missed practice twice this week due to illness. He was on the field Friday and is good to go for Sunday. Kamara remains one of the NFL’s best running backs. He’s a true do-it-all back, as he can gash you in the run game or make big plays in the passing game. Expect Commanders’ defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. to load the box to slow Kamara while applying more pressure on Haener to make plays.

Run the ball

Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders hands the ball off to Brian Robinson Jr.. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Two weeks ago, Washington focused on its running game with Daniels, Brian Robinson Jr., and Chris Rodriguez Jr. The result was 267 rushing yards and 42 points. While the opponent was Tennessee, it’s easy to forget the Titans had the NFL’s No. 2 defense entering that game.

The Commanders should be able to run the ball against New Orleans. That’s not to say offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury shouldn’t pass the ball, but the goal coming into the game is to demoralize the New Orleans defense. You can do that by running the ball.

Spread the ball around

Dyami Brown #2 of the Washington Commanders is pursued after his reception by Jaylon Johnson #1. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Before Noah Brown’s injury, Dyami Brown had become more involved in the offense in recent weeks. That’s a good sign, as Noah Brown was second among Washington wide receivers in receptions, yards, and targets before being sidelined for likely the remainder of the season. The object of the game is to win, of course, so you must do everything possible to achieve that win. But along the way, Kingsbury and Daniels should work to find out which receiver will step up opposite Terry McLaurin.

Brown has thrived with the ball in his hands this season. He’s also an excellent deep ball receiver. The Commanders should focus on getting him, Luke McCaffrey, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Ben Sinnott the ball against New Orleans. Washington has Philadelphia in Week 16. When the Eagles played the Commanders last month, no receiver outside McLaurin stepped up. To overcome Philly next week, Washington must find him some help. This week is a perfect time to start.

Commanders land Heisman frontrunner in latest mock draft

Could you imagine this backfield?

Could the Washington Commanders land a Heisman Trophy winner in the NFL draft for the second consecutive year?

In the 2024 NFL draft, Washington held the No. 2 overall pick and selected LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels won the Heisman Trophy after a record-breaking final season for the Tigers. Daniels’ arrival has completely transformed the Commanders from a four-win team to a playoff contender.

Currently 8-5, Washington looks likely to make the NFC playoff field, barring an unforeseen collapse.

While the Commanders finally have something to play for in December, it’s never too early to begin looking ahead to next season. That means it’s mock draft time. While Washington is in a much different position than one year ago, the Commanders have several needs.

In a new mock draft for The Athletic, Dane Brugler has the Commanders adding some help for Daniels and the offense. Brugler has Washington selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 21 overall pick.

Jeanty is one of the best players in this draft class, full stop. But there aren’t many obvious landing spots for a running back in the top 20, especially if Dallas passes (and I’m not projecting any trades in a mock draft this early in the process).

Washington wouldn’t be upset to see the Boise State standout fall this far. I’ll double check the NFL rule book, but a Jayden Daniels/Jeanty backfield hardly seems fair.

We agree with Brugler. Could you imagine a backfield of Daniels and Jeanty, with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler also around? Providing Washington adds a receiver in free agency, adding Jeanty would give the Commanders one of the upcoming draft’s top 10 players. The only reason Jeanty doesn’t go in the top 10 is because of his position.

Jeanty rushed for 2,288 yards, averaged 7.3 yards per carry and scored 28 touchdowns this season and has the Broncos in the College Football Playoff. Jeanty and Colorado star Travis Hunter are clear favorites to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy.

GM Adam Peters is about drafting the best player available. If Jeanty is there at No. 21, there’s no doubt he’d be the best player remaining on the board.

What are the odds the Commanders land back-to-back Heisman Trophy winners?

Commanders vs. Titans: Best photos from Week 13

Here are all of the best images from Sunday’s game between the Commanders and Titans.

The Washington Commanders improved to 8-5 with Sunday’s 42-19 win over the Tennessee Titans. The win snapped a three-game losing streak. Quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 25 of 30 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns in the win and rushed for a touchdown.

Daniels led a ground attack that ran for a season-high 267 yards, paced by Brian Robinson’s 103 yards. Chris Rodriguez came off the bench to deliver a career-high 94 yards. Both Robinson and Rodriguez also scored touchdowns.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin also established a new career-high with nine touchdowns after catching two on Sunday.

Here are all of the best images from Sunday’s Week 13 win over the Titans.

Twitter reacts to Commanders’ Week 13 win

How did everyone react to the Commanders snapping their three-game losing streak?

On Sunday, the Washington Commanders ended their three-game losing streak by defeating the Tennessee Titans 42-19 at Northwest Stadium.

It was a dominant performance from start to finish, as Washington’s defense immediately shut down the Titans, setting the tone of quarterback Jayden Daniels and the offense.

On the Commanders’ first possession, running back Brian Robinson Jr. ran for a 40-yard touchdown, giving them an early 7-0 lead. After another stop, Daniels called his own number for a touchdown run. Then, Washington forced back-to-back turnovers, converting both into Terry McLaurin touchdowns, and it was suddenly 28-0.

While Tennessee had some moderate success moving the ball, the Commanders dominated, scoring over 40 points for the third time this season.

It’s been a rough few weeks for Washington fans, who feared a similar meltdown to the 1996 and 2008 seasons. While there are still four games to be played, the Commanders have something those previous teams didn’t: Jayden Daniels.

Let’s see how X — formerly Twitter — reacted to Washington’s Week 13 performance.

Jeremy Reaves:

Northwest Stadium wasn’t the only place chanting Terry McLaurin’s name:

What a throw:

Daniels adds his to his NFL OROY case

Commanders dominant up front

Ryan Clark

The flags were a hit

It’s always the same things from the same people (Hi, Mike)

Great response here

Remember the Titans?

WATCH: Commanders’ first-half highlights vs. Titans

First-half highlights for the Commanders from their first half against the Titans.

The Washington Commanders (7-5) lead the Tennessee Titans (3-8) 28-7 at halftime of their Week 13 matchup from Northwest Stadium.

Running back, Brian Robinson Jr. is back for the Commanders and looks completely healthy. On Washington’s third play from scrimmage, Robinson burst through the Titans’ defense for a 40-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.

After forcing another punt, Washington finished another drive to take a 14-0 lead. This time, quarterback Jayden Daniels gets in on the run.

The Commanders had excellent field position after cornerback Mike Sainristil strips and recovered a fumble. Daniels made the Titans pay, finding wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a 16-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead. It was McLaurin’s eighth touchdown of the season — a new career-high.

Unbelievably, Washington immediately forced another turnover, this time on the kickoff return, again getting excellent field position.

Daniels finishes another drive with a touchdown pass to McLaurin, making it 28-0 Commanders.

Check out this dime from Daniels:

The Titans finally scored before halftime, making it 28-7. Washington opens the second half with the football.

Commanders make the right choice with Austin Ekeler

The Commanders placed Austin Ekeler on IR, which was the right move.

The Washington Commanders placed running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve Saturday. The move means that Ekeler will miss at least the next four games, making him eligible to return for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Ekeler suffered a concussion at the end of last week’s loss to Dallas. It was his second concussion of the season, as he suffered one back in Week 3 and missed the following game.

Washington did the right thing, sidelining Ekeler for at least the next five weeks. Remember, the Commanders have a Week 14 bye.

Since Ekeler entered the NFL back in 2017, he has suffered four documented concussions. That doesn’t take into account any concussions he may have had before his NFL career. No concussion is more severe than another. Each time you suffer a concussion, it’s a head injury and should be treated with extreme caution.

So, while the Commanders are in a playoff race and Ekeler is one of their best players, they do right by the player, something that wasn’t always the case before new owner Josh Harris, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn arrived.

Depending on how Ekeler recovers, he may or may not play again this season.

In the meantime, Washington will try to get it done on offense with running backs Brian Robinson Jr., Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez. Quarterback Jayden Daniels will also be involved in Washington’s running game.

There are usually very few updates on players in the NFL’s concussion protocol, meaning it could be a while before there is a definitive update on Ekeler.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson injury news ahead of Week 13

How healthy is Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. vs. Titans?

The Washington Commanders placed running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve Saturday. That means Ekeler will miss at least the next four games and is eligible to return in Week 17. So, what about fellow Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr?

Robinson has battled injuries all season. In his second game back against the Cowboys last week, he exited after his first carry. Washington’s leading rusher missed three games earlier this season with knee and hamstring injuries. While those injuries appear behind him, he added a new one against the Cowboys.

Robinson twisted his ankle under the weight of a Dallas player. It didn’t look good, but somehow, Robinson quickly returned. However, after a few more carries, he exited again, this time for good.

Robinson was fortunate the injury isn’t more severe, but it did have him limited in practice last week. Fortunately, though, Robinson was removed from the injury report after participating fully in Friday’s practice.

While Robinson will play, how much can Washington count on him? Jeremy McNichols has been excellent in relief this season. Chris Rogriguez Jr. is also back after being released and re-signed. Rodriguez was critical in the Commanders’ Week 9 win over the Giants.

Tennessee has one of the NFL’s best defenses. Running against the Titans will be difficult. Obviously, a healthy Robinson gives Washington the best chance.

Commanders’ injury news: Latest on Brian Robinson Jr, Austin Ekeler, Marshon Lattimore

Who is in for the Commanders on Sunday? Who is out? The final injury report for Week 13.

When the Washington Commanders face the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, one of their top running backs will be in action. Washington released its final injury report on Friday, and Brian Robinson Jr. will play.

Unfortunately, Austin Ekeler, who suffered a concussion late in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, is out. That’s not surprising. It is Ekeler’s second concussion of the season, and he remains in concussion protocol. Also, right tackle Andrew Wyler will miss Sunday’s game. Like Ekeler, he is also in the NFL’s concussion protocol program.

Wylie was limited in practice this week, so there was some hope he could play. Trent Scott will likely start in his place.

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was listed as doubtful for Sunday. Lattimore made his practice debut on Wednesday but was limited all three days. Head coach Dan Quinn discussed Lattimore’s progress on Friday.

“We’re pumped that he’s certainly closer, but we’re going to huddle up today and end of tomorrow to see where exactly we stand,” Quinn said. “We got a pretty strong process to go through and the player is a part of that too. So, we’re going to make all decisions, protect the team first, but man, is it good to have him back out there and get going.”

It still appears unlikely that Lattimore plays, but it certainly appears he’s headed toward making his Washington debut in Week 15 after Washington’s bye against his old team, the Saints, in New Orleans.

Here is Tennessee’s final injury report for Week 13.

Out: OT Leroy Watson IV (back), CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin)

Doubtful: None

Questionable: RB Tyjae Spears (concussion)

Commanders vs. Titans injury report: Latest updates, news for Thursday

The latest on Brian Robinson Jr. and Marshon Lattimore.

The Washington Commanders were back on the practice field Thursday, preparing for their Week 13 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

For the second consecutive day, cornerback Marshon Lattimore practice. While he remained limited, the Commanders have increased his work. It will be interesting to see his practice participation on Friday, which could determine his status for Sunday.

Running back Brian Robinson Jr. remained limited, but said he felt good despite spraining his ankle on Sunday. His status will likely go up until gametime, which has happened a few times this season.

Here’s Washington’s complete injury report for Thursday.

Did not participate: RB Austin Ekeler (concussion), WR Noah Brown (knee)

Limited participants: RB Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle), CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), DE Clelin Ferrell (knee/rest),  T Andrew Wylie (concussion), Dante Fowler Jr. (hip)

Full participants: G Nick Allegretti (ankle),  CB Noah Igbinoghene (thumb), LB Jordan Magee (elbow)

Here’s Tennessee’s Thursday injury report.

Did not participate: OT Leroy Watson (back),  LB Luke Gifford (hamstring)

Limited participants: CB Chidobe Awuzie (groin), DB Justin Hardee (groin), CB Roger McCreary (knee)

Full participants: S Amani Hooker (illness), DT Jeffery Simmons (NIR/rest), OLB Arden Key (back), WR Calvin Ridley (ankle), RB Tyjae Spears (concussion), CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (ribs), OLB Harold Landry (NIR/rest)

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. discusses injury and if he’ll play in Week 13

Will Brian Robinson Jr. be able to play in Week 13?

It’s been a trying year for Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., who was part of a Washington backfield that included him and Austin Ekeler. Robinson looked forward to the 2024 season with Kliff Kingsbury as the offensive coordinator.

Things started well for both backs. Ekeler made multiple big plays throughout the early portion of the season, while Robinson rushed for over 100 yards in two of the first four games.

Then, injuries happened. First, Robinson dealt with a knee injury that cost him the Week 6 game at Baltimore. Unfortunately, Robinson’s hamstring became a problem, too, exacerbated by the fact it was the same leg as the knee injury. That cost him two more games.

Robinson returned for the Week 11 game at Philadelphia, leading the Commanders with 63 rushing yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, Robinson injured his ankle on his first carry of the game.

He departed but returned. He would carry the ball two more times before his day was done.

Washington returned to practice Wednesday in preparation for its Week 13 game vs. Tennessee. Robinson was on the practice field, albeit on a limited basis. Still, it was good news, considering he injured his ankle only three days ago.

After practice, Robinson offered an update on his chances of playing Sunday.

“It was a surprising day today, actually,” Robinson said. “I was actually able to go out, put strength on it, and move around. I felt pretty good for what I was doing today. I’m just looking forward to making some great progress this week, which I expect to do. If all goes well, yes, I will play Sunday. I am glad I was able to go out there today and move around and see where I was at. I think I’m in a great spot.”

What did you expect Robinson to say? Players will always push to play. The Commanders need Robinson on Sunday. They will likely be without Ekeler, who suffered his second concussion of the season at the end of Sunday’s game. Also, the Titans possess one of the NFL’s top defenses.