The Washington Commanders are set to play the Cincinnati Bengals on ‘Monday Night Football’ to close Week 2 of the 2025 NFL preseason. The Commanders will be without a couple of key offensive players during the contest.
Notably, quarterback Jayden Daniels will sit out the game as Washington looks to preserve the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2024.
Perhaps more interestingly, Brian Robinson Jr. will be out of action as the fourth-year running back has become the subject of trade rumors with NFL roster cuts rapidly approaching.
Here’s what to know about Robinson’s absence and what it may mean for the Commanders.
Why isn’t Brian Robinson Jr. playing today?
Robinson and the Commanders reached a ‘mutual decision’ for him not to play in the team’s preseason game against the Bengals, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Robinson had been subject to trade rumors in the lead-up to the preseason ‘Monday Night Football’ clash between the Commanders and Bengals. Washington could opt to trade the fourth-year back, who led its committee approach over the last three seasons.
Keeping Robinson out of Monday’s game will ensure he remains healthy as the Commanders attempt to trade him. It isn’t clear whether Washington will find a suitor for the 25-year-old or if they will cut him if they cannot find a suitable trade.
Commanders RB depth chart
The Commanders currently have seven players on their roster at running back. Below is the projected pecking order among the group, according to the team’s most recent depth chart:
Brian Robinson Jr.
Austin Ekeler
Jeremy McNichols
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Kazmeir Allen
Demetric Felton
If the Commanders do move on from Robinson, Ekeler would likely retain his role as the top pass-catching back. Meanwhile, McNichols and Rodriguez would likely be first in line to take on Robinson’s role as an early-down back.
Croskey-Merritt would be the wild card of the group, as he has the most upside among the players on the roster. The seventh-round rookie has flashed during training camp and could emerge as a key part of the rotation in short order.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has spoken glowingly of Washington’s running back depth.
‘All six or seven guys in there have a place in this league,’ Kingsbury said recently, per ESPN. ‘They all have dynamic traits, all have things to do really well and guys when they had their opportunity have played at a high level. It’s a deep group and we just got to see how it shakes out.’