Brian Robinson endured a shockingly strong rookie season for the Commanders in 2022, coming back from injuries sustained in a shooting to lead the team in rushing yards.
Now in 2023, Robinson is looking forward to seeing what he can do with his knee pain even further in the rearview mirror.
Robinson was asked about his expectations for his second season at Commanders training camp on Friday. The Alabama product didn't hold back his excitement as he spoke about what he is hoping to accomplish this season.
"People should expect a lot of great things to come compared to the things I did limping around all last year," he said, per ESPN. "I feel night and day from last year. I feel more like myself every day."
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Robinson was shot twice in his right leg and hip while walking to his car on Aug. 28. He had just finished eating dinner at a Washington, D.C. restaurant with a friend when the shooting occurred. He was able to wrestle the gun away from one of his assailants before the culprits — two teenagers — fled the scene.
Robinson was hospitalized after the injuries but ultimately ended up being OK. His goal was to return to action as soon as possible even after the shooting, and he was in luck. The bullet passed through his knee cleanly, avoiding the key ligaments and arteries located within it. As such, he was able to return to the field quickly, first playing in Week 5 against the Titans.
Even despite Robinson's solid — and remarkable, considering the circumstances — season, he knew he was far from his peak as a player.
"You didn't see the real me," he told running backs coach Randy Jordan during the offseason.
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Now, he is feeling much better, and Jordan is excited to see what the back can achieve after he logged 797 yards and two touchdowns on 205 carries as a rookie.
"When you look at what he's done from what he went through as a player — not only the physical part but the mental toughness it takes to come back... I'm excited to see what he can do with a full season."
Robinson is also excited, especially about getting a chance to play in new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy's offense. He is putting an emphasis on working more as a receiver to avoid being "one dimensional" in the NFL; he had just nine catches for 60 yards and a touchdown as a rookie.
But regardless of what he can achieve, Robinson remains "grateful" for the support he has received since the shooting.
"It's not a day that I'm not thankful and appreciative for everybody that was in my corner from the time everything happened," he said. "I make sure I let everybody know every chance I get how much I appreciate them and how much I appreciate being here."
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The feeling is mutual, and it seems like Robinson is close to achieving his goals. Coach Ron Rivera seems pleased with the second-year back's progress and appears ready to trust him as a big part of Washington's offense in 2023.
"We had a real good picture of what it can be," Rivera said of Robinson's potential. "What we now see is a more mature version of last year's guy who went through camp [before the shooting]. There's still a ways to go but there's a lot of promise."
