The Washington Commanders will be without top running back Brian Robinson Jr. and newly added cornerback Marshon Lattimore when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the team announced Friday.
Robinson (hamstring) did not participate in Friday’s practice after being listed as a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday, while Lattimore (hamstring) did not practice this week.
Robinson leads Washington in rushing this season with 101 carries for 461 yards and six touchdowns in seven games played, but has missed two of the Commanders’ past four games, including a Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and last weekend’s win over the New York Giants.
The Commanders acquired Lattimore, a first-round pick by New Orleans in 2017 and four-time Pro Bowler, from the New Orelans Saints ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Lattimore played in each of the Saints’ first eight games this season, collecting 30 total tackles and two passes defended, before missing last Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Robinson to miss third game in five weeks
Robinson isn’t only Washington’s leading rusher. The rugged third-year RB is a definitive tone-setter and short-yardage threat. He’s also set to miss a third game over the last five weeks.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he’s unaware of a correlation with the hamstring injury and an earlier knee concern other than both issues are with the same leg.
Austin Ekeler, a reliable dual-threat, and Jeremy McNichols replace Robinson in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s highly efficient attack.
However, practice-squad call-up Chris Rodriguez ended up leading Washington in rushing yards with fourth-quarter work that helped run out the clock in the 27-22 road win over the Giants in Week 9. Without any more free passes, a fourth elevation would mean signing the interior back to the 53-player roster. — Ben Standig, Commanders beat writer
Four-time Pro Bowler new addition to Washington defense
Washington traded for the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback with the near- and long-term in mind.
This upcoming game is something of a litmus test for the Commanders relative to their strength of schedule through the first nine games. While deploying Lattimore would be a fun time, he’s needed more for next week’s Thursday night game against Philadelphia (6-2), the only other NFC East team with a winning record.
This way, Lattimore has more time to learn the system and rehab the hamstring after sitting out last week with the Saints rather than recover on a short week. The downside is defending Russell Wilson’s deep-ball prowess will be that much harder for Washington in Week 10. — Standig
Commanders sign kicker
The Commanders signed kicker Zane Gonzales on Monday to the practice squad as Austin Seibert battles a hip injury. Seibert leads the league in field goals made (25) and attempted (27). — Standig
Required reading
- Commanders midseason predictions: Terry McLaurin makes Pro Bowl, Washington wins NFC East
- A year after selling off players at the deadline, Commanders have come a long way, quickly
- Adding Marshon Lattimore a display of the Adam Peters-Dan Quinn power couple dynamic
(Photo: Greg Fiume / Getty Images)
