‘Kyle Shanahan Can Fix Him’ — NFL Fans React to 49ers Pulling Stunning Trade for Brian Robinson Jr. From Commanders

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As NFL teams scramble to finalize their rosters, the San Francisco 49ers just made another aggressive move. Following their trade for wide receiver Skyy Moore, the team has now acquired running back Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders.

With injuries piling up in their backfield, the 49ers were desperate for a solution, and fans are buzzing about what this stunning trade means for a team with championship aspirations.

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Why Did the San Francisco 49ers Target Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr.?

The San Francisco 49ers entered the running back market out of necessity, thanks to a wave of preseason injuries. When Robinson became available, he was immediately seen as one of the best fits for the team because of how well his style complements superstar Christian McCaffrey.

From Washington’s perspective, the team had been looking for trade partners for Robinson after his inability to stay healthy in recent years affected his production. He never reached 800 rushing yards in a season with the Commanders.

However, 49ers fans are optimistic. One fan reacted by saying, “Shanahan can fix him,” referencing head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system that often maximizes running back performance.

Beyond just staying healthy, Robinson’s main goal now is to establish himself as a viable option to help the 49ers manage McCaffrey’s workload. When McCaffrey has been off the field, defenses have adjusted noticeably. Another significant injury to their star player could potentially derail his future with the franchise and their Super Bowl hopes.

Another reason the Commanders moved on from Robinson was the emergence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, their 245th overall pick in this year’s draft. Croskey-Merritt stood out in the preseason and now joins a committee in Washington also featuring veteran Austin Ekeler.

To acquire Robinson, San Francisco gave up a 2026 sixth-round pick. The move was clearly driven by injuries, especially to Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James. Guerendo showed promise last season but spent most of the preseason sidelined, while the rookie James has also been dealing with injuries.

This injury bug has been San Francisco’s most significant concern heading into the season. With nearly every practice, the injury report seems to grow. In their last preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the 49ers lost two more running backs: Patrick Taylor Jr. is out for the season, while promising rookie Corey Kiner landed on injured reserve.

RELATED: NFC Contender Trades for Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. Amid Injury Concerns in Backfield

Before the trade, Robinson was also linked to the Miami Dolphins, another team dealing with backfield injuries. Miami’s De’Von Achane is managing a calf issue, and while it isn’t expected to keep him out long, it is raising concerns heading into the year.

Despite some fantasy football fans’ worries, Robinson’s addition shouldn’t significantly impact Brandon Aiyuk’s role in the offense.

One fan posted on X, “CMC owners are shivering.” While Robinson is expected to give McCaffrey a breather in certain situations, McCaffrey’s heavy workload will likely remain intact.

This move aligns with San Francisco’s strategy of building a young, affordable roster. Robinson is only 26, while Skyy Moore will be 25 when the season starts, and both are still on their rookie contracts, which means the 49ers have the flexibility to move on within a year if expectations aren’t met.

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