Robinson the goal-line back?

The Athletic's Ben Standig wonders whether rookie Brian Robinson will replace Antonio Gibson as the Commanders' goal-line back this season. "Washington selected running back Brian Robinson to be a between-the-tackles hammer," Standig writes. "It will be interesting to see whether Robinson or Antonio Gibson, who remains the lead back, handles goal-line/short-yardage situations. Often the rookie gets eased into such scenarios, but Gibson’s penchant for fumbles combined with Robinson’s ball security and interior running could flip this toward the Alabama alum." Gibson coughed it up 6 times last season and was just-ok near the goal line, converting 5 of 12 carries inside the 5-yard line into TDs. Robinson has 5 pounds on Gibson and scored 14 times on the ground at Alabama last year. Usage in Washington's backfield will be worth monitoring closely in training camp and preseason action.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) is not listed on the final Week 17 injury report. Washington will be back to a Robinson/Antonio Gibson backfield vs. the 49ers on Sunday, with RB Chris Rodriguez (ankle) on IR. Robinson sits in low RB3 range in the Week 17 Rankings with the Commanders 12.5-point underdogs. He's averaged just 10.6 carries per game in losses this season.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. RB Chris Rodriguez (ankle) did not practice. We'll see how this backfield shapes up over the next few days, but it's a situation to try to avoid with Washington sporting an 18.25-point implied total vs. the 49ers.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Jets. RB Jonathan Williams is back on the practice squad, so he has no official game status. But he's in concussion protocol and is unlikely to play this weekend. That'll leave the backfield to RBs Antonio Gibson and Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez out-carried Gibson 10 to 4 last week, but Gibson out-targeted Rodriguez 5 to 0. Neither is a very attractive Week 16 fantasy play with Washington sporting a 17-point implied total in New York.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy owners shouldn't be counting on him returning for this weekend's game vs. the Jets. Washington used RBs Antonio Gibson, Chris Rodriguez, and Jonathan Williams last week -- but Williams is now in the concussion protocol. Gibson's passing-game role makes him the best fantasy bet of the trio, but he's no better than a RB3 or flex play.

The Commanders have ruled RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) out for Sunday's game against the Rams. That should leave Antonio Gibson leading the backfield. Rookie Chris Rodriguez figures to work in to some degree as well. We have no full games without Robinson yet this season to know how much Rodriguez might get, though. Washington now sits 4-9, coming off the bye, and with a coach who looks likely to get fired at the end of the season. We don't know whether or how any of that will affect workload decisions this week. But there's potential for any of those components to factor in. We're projecting Gibson as the clear leader and a low-end RB2 in our Week 15 RB rankings. Just be careful about overrating him in your lineup decisions.