Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 13

RB Isaiah Spiller back at practice

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree

With Ekeler the lead back, right now Kelley is the team's RB2. However Spiller could be ready to go for Week 1, and if not, it should only be a matter of time before Spiller moves up the depth chart. It was also reported Sony Michel, recently released by the Dolphins, was in town to meet with the Bolts, so this is something to monitor.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson was released from the hospital Monday, one day after being shot twice in an armed robbery attempt.

Robinson will meet with Washington's doctors Tuesday at the team's facility to determine the extent of his rehabilitation, according to a source. Washington remains optimistic about his chances of playing this season, but coach Ron Rivera said Monday they're uncertain when he'd be able to return.

Related players: Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

Robinson was shot in Washington, D.C., early Sunday evening. He underwent surgery and posted an Instagram story that his "surgery went well." Depending on what doctors determine Tuesday, Robinson could be placed on the non-football injury list, which would require him to miss the first four games, the story said. While the news about Robinson is positive overall, there is no timetable for a return. Gibson and McKissic will lead the way until the promising rookie makes it back onto the field.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson was shot multiple times as a victim during an attempted robbery but is in stable condition.

Certainly a scary situation here, but the good news is that Robinson is in stable condition. JP Finlay of NBC Washington reports the injuries are not life-threatening. Obviously, in a situation like this, fantasy comes second, but Robinson had a strong preseason. For the time being, Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic should be the top guys in the Washington backfield. Hopefully, Robinson gets well soon. Thank goodness the injuries are non-life threatening.

Ron Rivera on if RB Antonio Gibson will be the team's top kick returner this season: "You still need to see some more stuff, but you know, I think he is. I do. I think he's done a nice job.”

Related players: Brian Robinson, J.D. McKissic

Rivera added he's seen Gibson get "more and more comfortable" on KRs. Fortier's tweets went on to quote Rivera: “When you watch it on tape, you see him circling the ball, getting under it, making a good catch. It's something he did well in college, and we're pretty excited having him do it.”

We first got wind of Gibson returning kicks as what some who follow the team deemed a punishment for a key fumble in a preseason game. He was also working with the third team but did get first team reps eventually. There is always a fear of additional injury when returning kicks, but it seems like the Commanders feel comfortable with rookie running back Brian Robinson's development this summer and he could be in store for a significant workload.

RB Isaiah Spiller (ankle) will miss the final preseason game and there is “a chance” he’ll miss the season opener Week 1 against the Raiders, Brandon Staley said.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, Larry Rountree

Kelley, according to several reports, is ahead of everyone in terms of the RB2 role, so this will likely solidify that situation. Ekeler will get a bulk of the work and Rountree could see some snaps as well until Spiller gets back. Spiller could climb into the RB2 role eventually, but for now that will be Kelley.

Washington activated TE Logan Thomas from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List.

Related players: John Bates

Now it will be a race to get ready for Week 1. Thomas had a nice year in 2020 before getting hurt in 2021. He caught 72 balls for 670 yards and six TDs. A lot of that production came over the final five weeks, including catches of 9, 6, 13 and 7 from Weeks 12-15. He also collected 44 of his 110 targets during that four-week span. Obviously he was poised for a huge year in 2021 before tearing his ACL. The potential is still there for 2022, assuming he can get back up to speed. He'll have some late-round value as a TE2 with TE1 potential if things go right. If he's not ready, Bates would be next up.

Standig remarks that Carson Wentz has displayed more chemistry with Jahan Dotson than any other wide receiver in camp.

Related Players: Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown

This isn't to say that Terry McLaurin isn't the unquestioned number one on this team, but it's a good sign that the 16th-overall pick would seem to be the for sure second option in the Washington passing game. Dotson also seems to be the favorite to be the primary punt returner, if you're looking for a tiebreaker and another option late in drafts.

Joshua Kelley started Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams and had a really efficient game, totaling 44 yards from scrimmage on six touches. In Tuesday’s practice, Kelley continued to get the most first-team work of the three running backs vying for the second running back spot behind Austin Ekeler — Larry Rountree III, rookie Isaiah Spiller and Kelley.

Seems like a bit of an upset fi Kelley comes away with the job, especially with the rookie Spiller garnering a lot of post-NFL Draft hype. Ekeler is ranked fourth on our RB list so he'll get a bulk of the work out of the backfield, especially in the passing game. But the team will have a need for a between-the-tackles-type runner. For Ekeler owners, this is a battle to keep an eye on throughout camp. For the record, the story said the team is happy with Spiller's development to this point.

With the likes of WR Stefon Diggs and QB Josh Allen continually having their relationship at center stage, the contributions Cole Beasley made over the past few years were overlooked. However, the slot WR was consistently a safety valve for Allen in Buffalo and with his release this spring that job is up for grabs. Isaiah McKenzie has taken an early stranglehold on that position battle.

Related players: Jamison Crowder

The story said McKenzie flashed a time or two in the past, but few expected McKenzie to become the clear favorite to take over Beasley’s role before a preseason game was even played. He's been one of the darlings of all the NFL camps this year and seems to collect positive press almost every day. The team signed Crowder to possibly fill that role but it's been McKenzie who is standing out.

OC Scott Turner on RB Antonio Gibson's fumbles: "You can't waste a possession; if you fumble the ball that's a waste of a possession. The first job is to protect the ball. It's something that has to be fixed."

Related players: J.D. McKissic, Brian Robinson

Gibson had a big fumble in preseason Week 1. Reports Tuesday said Gibson was working with the punt return and third teams - seemingly as punishment. Other reports said Gibson eventually returned to first team work. However the rookie Robinson has had a good camp, and with McKissic back in the fold, there is some pressure for Gibson to show some improvement sooner than later this summer.