Washington Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in August, and two and a half weeks later, he's making some pretty incredible progress as he attempts to return to the practice field.

On Wednesday, multiple Washington beat reporters noted that Robinson was doing work on the side at practice. ESPN said the rookie was completing some agility work, and several reporters observed Robinson on the stationary bike. Per The Athletic, Robinson was wearing a wrap over his right knee/lower leg -- the area where he was shot.

Related players: Antonio Gibson

Washington placed Robinson on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, which makes him unavailable for at least the first four weeks of the regular season. Head coach Ron Rivera has not laid out an official recovery timeline for his running back, but Robinson may not miss an extended amount of time. Last week, he ditched his crutches as the swelling in his knee went down, the story went on to say.

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.

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.

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.

While discussing Antonio Gibson's lingering hamstring injury, Washington beat reporter Ben Standig mentioned, "at a minimum, Robinson is expected to handle short-yardage work", which would give the rookie a floor as a goal-line back.

Related Players: Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic

Standig also mentions, "Washington plans to find ways to get Gibson the ball in space rather than force him inside.". That sounds fine on paper, but the Commanders made sure that they brought back J.D. McKissic to repeat his third-down role, creating a logjam in the backfield with no real upside for any of the three pieces.

Washington plans to find ways to get Antonio Gibson the ball in space rather than force him inside. Part of the logic involves limiting wear and tear. The presence of rookie Brian Robinson affords that shift.

The Commanders, having already retained pass catching specialist J.D. McKissic, selected the Alabama standout known for power and ball security in the third round. At a minimum, Robinson is expected to handle short-yardage work, duties given to Gibson last season following the release of Peyton Barber.

Rivera called Robinson "a big, strong, powerful downhill runner, more so than anything else.” The story said Robinson popped some solid runs while primarily holding down first-team duties Wednesday. He’ll receive ample work with the starters as long as this cautious approach with Gibson remains, it went on to say.

Antonio Gibson opens training camp on the side field.

Related players: J.D. McKissic

As Finlay pointed out, Gibson missed a bit of minicamp with hamstring twinge too. Gibson can have a tough time staying on the field but is one of the most intriguing RB2-types heading into the 2022 season. After an RB13 finish in 2020, he finished RB12 in 2021, but was 20th on a per game basis. He was 10th in touches per game (18.5) and his offensive line is a top-12 unit according to our offensive line guru, Justin Edwards. But, Gibson is currently the RB23 off the board in early drafts, probably because J.D. McKissic is back after briefly committing to the Bills, and Gibson’s targets were significantly higher (4.4 vs. 2.7 per game) when McKissic missed five games last season.

The Buffalo Bills had signed RB J.D. McKissic to a two-year deal, but McKissic has reversed course and returned to the Washington Commanders for the same deal.

Related Players: Zack Moss, Devin Singletary, Antonio Gibson

And you thought Antonio Gibson was free...

The WFT has activated RB Antonio Gibson from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Related Player: Jaret Patterson

WFT RB Antonio Gibson has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Related Player: Jaret Patterson

Gibson is expected to miss Week 17 unless he somehow tests negative Saturday and Sunday.