ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders have made a significant alteration to their running back lineup, trading Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round draft pick. This move comes just weeks before the start of the new NFL season and is contingent upon Robinson passing a physical examination.

Initially viewed as the likely starter this season, Robinson has been part of trade discussions for some time, indicating the team’s readiness to move on. Reports surfaced last week that Coach Dan Quinn and General Manager Adam Peters met with Robinson to inform him that he would be excluded from their preseason matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, leading to his absence from the game and subsequent practices.

Quinn attributed the change to numerous factors at this stage of the preseason. “There’s just a lot of moving parts. This time of the year, those things take place,” he said, emphasizing the need to keep the team informed.

Financial considerations were not a primary reason for the trade, as Robinson was in the final year of his rookie contract, set to earn $3.406 million. The Commanders are absorbing about $1.53 million in dead money on their salary cap as they continue to reshape their roster for a better offensive fit.

The Commanders’ running back depth is now led by veterans Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, alongside younger prospects like Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick, impressed during training camp and showcased his skills with a standout performance against the Bengals. Rodríguez also demonstrated promise, leading the team with significant rushing yards in his recent appearances.

Robinson, 26, had been a cornerstone of Washington’s rushing attack, amassing 2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns over three seasons, despite overcoming considerable hurdles, including injuries and a traumatic beginning to his career when he was shot during a robbery just weeks before his rookie season started.

As the Commanders look to bolster their running game after a lackluster finish last season, the decision to move on from Robinson aligns with their strategy to prioritize younger talent. However, they may still explore roster additions before the final cut deadline.

For the 49ers, acquiring Robinson addresses their depth issues at running back. The team previously expressed interest in him before the 2022 draft and could benefit from his power running style, particularly given their current concerns regarding injuries to key players in their backfield.

With the Commanders and the 49ers both navigating their respective challenges, Robinson’s transition opens fresh opportunities for all parties involved, as he seeks to embrace a new chapter in his career with San Francisco.