SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In his first apply as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, operating again Brian Robinson Jr. wanted at the very least a little bit little bit of time to regulate.
“It was like a primary day of faculty,” Robinson stated. “I bought misplaced within the hallway for a second however I discovered my method to class.”
Carrying No. 30 and leaping right into a 62-minute exercise on Monday, Robinson might need wanted that transient second to get his ft underneath him after his exit from the Washington Commanders materialized over the previous couple of weeks regardless of his standing because the workforce's most efficient operating again in every of the previous three seasons.
The Niners and Commanders agreed to a commerce involving Robinson coming to San Francisco and a 2026 sixth-round choose going to Washington on Friday with the edges asserting the deal formally on Sunday.
Whereas Robinson did not appear stunned by the commerce, even noting that he considered the Niners as a possible vacation spot, he additionally did not actually have an evidence for a way he went from Washington's high operating again to on the commerce block.
“I actually could not inform you that proper now,” Robinson stated. “The final week or two has been a bit uncommon, however nothing modifications for me. I count on the identical targets I set for myself three, 4 months in the past. It stays the identical, similar course of, similar the whole lot I count on to do of the whole lot that I used to be anticipating to do for myself this 12 months. I count on to proceed that despite the fact that I am in a brand new residence, so nothing ought to change.”
It was a whirlwind weekend for Robinson, who, upon arrival in San Francisco, has been instantly named the workforce's No. 2 operating again behind starter Christian McCaffrey.
“We introduced him right here to be our (quantity) two again,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “All the time been an enormous fan of Brian. (I) liked him popping out of faculty. He is achieved very well going in opposition to him and we had been pumped that he was accessible and we had been pumped that we had been capable of get him.”
To Shanahan's level, the Niners confirmed curiosity in Robinson when he was getting into the league by way of the 2022 NFL draft. Robinson was one of many Niners' 30 pre-draft guests that 12 months and spent loads of time with then assistant head coach Anthony Lynn and assembly different members of the workers, together with operating backs coach Bobby Turner.
However Washington used the 98th total choice on Robinson and he has been a big a part of its offense for the previous three seasons. In these years, Robinson amassed 2,329 dashing yards and 15 touchdowns whereas averaging 4.1 yards per keep on the bottom with 65 receptions for 587 yards and 5 extra touchdowns by the air.
Regardless of that, Washington made a number of strikes to bolster its operating again depth within the offseason with Chris Rodriguez and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt rising in additional outstanding roles through the preseason and becoming a member of veterans Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols within the combine.
As commerce rumors started to bubble up throughout camp, it turned clear the place Robinson stood in Washington final week when he didn't play nor attend the Commanders' preseason sport in opposition to Cincinnati.
Based on Robinson, he had “some hints” that the Niners had been a possible touchdown spot however “a number of different groups” had been attempting to get him as nicely.
The Niners' curiosity in Robinson took place after a coaching camp during which they've persistently handled accidents at operating again. Rookie Jordan James (damaged finger) missed most of camp, Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder) and Corey Kiner (excessive ankle sprain) are on injured reserve and Isaac Guerendo not too long ago returned from his personal shoulder harm.
McCaffrey has made it by the preseason with out concern however the accidents and a few struggles for Guerendo, who fumbled twice in a latest apply, additionally made Robinson an interesting choice.
On Monday, Robinson stated he's trying ahead to working alongside McCaffrey.
“I come right here to compete,” Robinson stated. “I am able to do my factor simply in addition to Christian is able to do his. So, my job proper now could be to only to enhance him one of the best ways I can and we (can) be the perfect duo within the league.”
As for a way Robinson matches in his new offense, he stated the terminology will take a while to study however the Niners' favored zone-heavy scheme fits him nicely. And he is nicely conscious of the numerous backs Shanahan and Turner have had success with over time, all of which he stated ought to make his transition to the 49ers fairly simple.
“I have been operating the ball my complete life, so I am prepared to only plug and play,” Robinson stated. “I got here right here able to play and I am certain that I would like him to have the ability to use me like that. No matter run scheme it's, he can throw me in. I am already able to execute the performs.”
