NFL teams
Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior Writer 2y

Washington Commanders' Brian Robinson has realistic chance for Week 5 return, sources say

NFL, Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson, who was shot twice in his right leg during an attempted robbery, has a realistic chance of returning in Week 5, team sources told ESPN.

Without Robinson for Sunday's season opener, Washington will rely on Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams at the running back position against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But the Commanders are encouraged about Robinson's progress and do not expect him to miss much more time.

Washington also has another positive injury development. The team hopes to have 2020 first-round pick Chase Young, who tore an ACL and MCL against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in November 2021, back before the midpoint of the season.

Robinson is on the Non-Football Injury list, which makes him ineligible to play the first four weeks of the season, but his progress already has been tangible. The third-round draft pick is off crutches, and the Commanders plan to have him pick up his conditioning level this week, outside on grass, a first for Robinson since he was shot.

Robinson was shot twice on Aug. 28 in Washington, D.C., in what the police report described as an aggravated assault. He underwent surgery the following day and suffered no structural damage.

Young was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list last month, making him ineligible the first four weeks of the season.

Young has been conservatively projected to rejoin the Commanders later this season. Young soon will have his knee reevaluated by Dr. James Andrews, but the team believes he will be back well before the season's midway mark.

Young already has been performing in defensive line drills, running through hoops and changing directions.

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