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Kendall Fuller’s interception lets Commanders survive for third straight win<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Third-string running back Jonathan Williams, who went to Arkansas, said every running back from the SEC prides himself on having a tough, hard-nosed style. But he admitted Robinson had a few carries so physical Sunday that even he had to say, \u201cOh, my gosh.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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One of them was early in the fourth quarter, when Robinson ran through an arm tackle, juked a cornerback, bowled over a safety and dragged two would-be tacklers for a first down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cI’m not sure what his birthday is, but that day, God gave him a lot of strength \u2014 and some size,\u201d Williams said. \u201cIt’s genetics.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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In the first half, offensive coordinator Scott Turner stuck to the formula he has often used with Robinson. He gave him the ball on first down and second and medium. Seemingly each time, Robinson was decisive, bursting into a heavy front and grinding out four to six yards. He was a human snowplow, keeping the roads clear for the offense to stay on schedule.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Late in the first quarter, Atlanta seemed to be keying on Robinson, so Turner switched it up. He got the offense into a classic run look \u2014 tight formations, two tight ends, wide receiver Cam Sims \u2014 but instead called a pass. Robinson leaked out right to the flat. Taylor Heinicke hit him in stride.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Robinson ran over cornerback Darren Hall, powered through linebacker Mykal Walker and extended his arm for the first receiving touchdown of his career.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt’s you versus a defensive back,\u201d Robinson said. \u201cYou’ve got to win at least 80, 90 percent of the time. So I pulled the trigger, and it worked out well.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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In the second half, perhaps sensing the run-heavy approach was wearing on the Falcons’ front, Turner leaned on Robinson even more. Washington’s first possession came down to third and one, and Turner went into a tight formation again, suggesting a run up the middle. Instead, Robinson took the ball on a stretch run left and used two excellent receiver blocks to get outside for a 21-yard gain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cI wish he was a little bit faster,\u201d joked wide receiver Dyami Brown, one of the blockers. \u201cI’m going to take him to speed training in the offseason, so he can go score [next time]\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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On the next drive, Turner started with a Robinson run (five yards). Then another (six) and another (seven) and another (two). In all, Turner called nine runs in 11 plays \u2014 six for Robinson \u2014 and Heinicke threw a touchdown to tight end John Bates for a lead the team never relinquished. Robinson had gone from snowplow to pace car.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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In the locker room afterward, after Robinson’s speech, teammates gushed about the rookie. The running backs, Williams and Antonio Gibson, said he was nowhere near his ceiling. Everyone else applauded his resilience and character.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cMan, it was heartwarming,\u201d defensive end Montez Sweat said of the speech. \u201cWith all he’s been through, you just want him to have success \u2014 and to be a part of that, it just makes it feel so much better.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cI was so happy and proud of him with what he’s gone through and just the type of person he is,\u201d left tackle Charles Leno Jr. said. \u201cHe’s an amazing person, an amazing human being, and I love everything about him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Commanders activate Brian Robinson Jr., setting up remarkable comeback<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
After a whirlwind of interviews, Robinson was back at his locker, wearing his big hat backward. He said he was trying to help promote his friend’s big-hat business. Ron Dyer, whose daughter became friends with Robinson at Alabama, bought the hat from NogginBoss, which appeared on entrepreneurial TV show \u201cShark Tank.\u201d Dyer and his son Kaleb made a custom Commanders design and gave it to Robinson, Kaleb said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The silly moment seemed fitting for a team and player that improbably have emerged from a storm and found success<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cIf you want a big hat, let me know,\u201d Robinson said, grinning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Nicki Jhabvala contributed to this report.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n