NFL Trade Alert: Commanders trade RB Brian Robinson Jr. to 49ers

After weeks of swirling rumors, the Washington Commanders have officially dealt running back Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 26-year-old was originally a third-round selection out of Alabama in the 2022 NFL Draft and is now entering the final year of his rookie deal, set to make $3.4 million this season. It's worth noting that Washington have agreed to take on some of the $3.4 million owed to the player this season as part of the trade agreement.

Robinson quickly became a workhorse in Washington, pacing the team in carries each of his three seasons. He put together back-to-back campaigns of over 900 scrimmage yards while tallying at least eight touchdowns in both years, cementing himself as a steady offensive weapon.

The 49ers have been hit hard by injuries in the backfield behind star rusher Christian McCaffrey, making depth a growing concern. Rookie Isaac Guerendo has been nursing a shoulder issue for much of August, though he was finally able to return to practice on Tuesday.

Things are even thinner further down the chart. Patrick Taylor Jr. saw his season cut short by a serious shoulder injury, while rookie Corey Kiner was carted off in Week 2 of the preseason with a high ankle sprain, leaving San Francisco scrambling for reliable options.

Amid that backdrop, Brian Robinson Jr.'s situation in Washington began to draw extra attention. The running back was held out of the Commanders’ preseason matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday—a decision described as mutual between player and team, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The move only fueled speculation about his future, especially with trade chatter already circling as the regular season approached.

Before trimming down to the final 53-man roster, Washington found itself overloaded in the backfield with seven running backs on the books. Brian Robinson Jr. had been penciled in as the preseason RB1, but with his move to San Francisco, the depth chart has shifted.

Veteran Austin Ekeler now slides into the starting role, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. providing depth behind him. Rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt sits fourth in line for now, though his impressive preseason could see him climb the pecking order sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, Kazmeir Allen and Demetric Felton look like strong candidates to stick around via the practice squad.