ASHBURN, Va. — The mood at Washington Commanders headquarters was on Monday as the team held its first practice since news broke that rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. was shot Sunday night in Washington, DC. It was much more solemn than usual.
Robinson was taken to a local hospital, where his injuries are not life-threatening, but Washington executives including head coach Ron Rivera, co-owners Dan and Tanya Snyder, and running back coach Randy Jordan. A contingent was in attendance. Rivera said there was no timeline for Robinson’s return on Monday, but sounded optimistic when discussing the running back’s recovery. Posted in stories.
Commander players found out about the news in a different way. Jonathan Allen learned after his brother texted him about it, and Carson Wentz learned through his group chat with the commander’s aggressive lineman. Wide receiver Terry McLaughlin also learned through multiple texts from his teammates.
Football was the only thing Washington leaders were worried about after hearing the news.
“The first thing you think is, ‘Is he okay?'” added McLoughlin. “My main concern was, ‘Will he be okay?’ It’s not football. When I found out it was a non-life-threatening injury, I just wanted to keep praying for him.” It’s just….I’m glad he’s healthy and alive.”
“At the end of the day, the biggest thing is that he’s safe,” Allen said. “He’s not dead, his life isn’t threatened, that’s all.”
Wentz took a similar tone to Allen and McLaughlin.
“It’s certainly chilling,” said Wentz. “You hear the news and you’re like, ‘This is not it.’ [about] No more soccer. someone was shot This is a real, out-of-the-field thing that someone is experiencing. … we are not immune to it. ”
Wentz, Allen, and McLoughlin all reached out by sending text messages wishing Robinson well.
“This is a wake-up call to everyone. There are real problems in this world. Thankfully Brian is said to be doing well. Looking forward to seeing that,” said Wentz. rice field. “We are a family and we want to keep it going. Please pray for everyone going through something off the field.”
Before practice Monday began, Rivera called a team meeting to talk with the players about Robinson’s situation. Then, once they were on the field, the head coach called everyone together for another message before taking a break for positional drills. Ken Zampes’ father and longtime NFL assistant Ernie Zampes has passed away.
Rivera and Wentz said they were pleased with the energy and tempo of their players during practice, despite the horrific news on Sunday. .
“You can’t play in the NFL if you’re distracted by distractions,” Allen said. “This is a very tragic and sad situation, but B-Rob understands. He He gets mad at us if the situation affects us.I know what he is like.Go out and play and he’s fine.He’ll be back We have work to do.”
Since Rivera’s arrival in 2020, the Commanders have endured off-field event after event. McLoughlin is here for everything, as is his head coach. McLaurin feels Rivera has set the standard for how to handle difficult situations.
“You can’t just breeze and pass by because you have to play football. We are human and it affects our psyche. [health], like when something like that happens, it rocks you all day,” McLoughlin said. I think it starts with Coach Rivera and how he went into team meetings and talked to us. He set that standard, and as leaders, we try to reflect that. ”
McLoughlin later added that one way to deal with everything that has happened in the last few years is to see a therapist. Monday isn’t the first time he’s specifically brought up how talking to a therapist helped him.
“It’s a lot lighter when you don’t feel like you’re carrying it alone,” McLoughlin said.
McLoughlin was particularly devastated when he first heard the news. Wideout explained that Robinson was sitting next to him in offensive meetings, and that the young running back’s work ethic and approach impressed McLoughlin. did.
When it came to football, Robinson had the strongest camp of any player in the Commanders. Robinson, who was expected to change the pace for Washington, impressed enough to earn significant playing time in the starting unit by the end of training camp.
But despite his rapid rise to the top of the depth chart, McLoughlin found Robinson eager to help his commander in any way he could, whether on offense or special teams. McLoughlin said the mentality reminded him of when he was a rookie and that he was promoted from a third-round draft pick to the team’s number one wideout in a matter of weeks.
Both McLoughlin and Wentz spoke enthusiastically about how well Robinson has fit in with the commander since his arrival. As Robinson is ready to join his teammates, the locker room welcomes him with open arms.
“B-Rob is someone you instantly fit in with when you get here,” McLoughlin said. I am excited.”
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