NFL preseason live updates: Commanders starters run through porous Bengals defense; are they moving on from Brian Robinson Jr.?

 Three-year starting Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. appears to be on his way out.

The Commanders may have demonstrated why on Monday night. With Robinson sidelined amid reported trade rumors, Washington ran roughshod over a porous Bengals defense as both teams played their starters early.

The Commanders exploded for a four-play, 73-yard touchdown drive on their opening possession without throwing a pass. Running back Chris Rodriguez broke free for a 40-yard run to set up quarterback Jayden Daniels for a 14-yard touchdown scramble through and past multiple hapless Bengals defenders.

Then came Jacory Croskey-Merritt's time to shine. The seventh-round rookie out of Arizona took the starring role on Washington's second drive with 32 rushing yards as the Commanders needed just three plays to score their second touchdown of the game.

Croskey-Merritt capped the drive with a 27-yard touchdown run.

By halftime, Rodriguez had six carries for 62 yards (10.3 ypc) and Croskey-Merritt had 32 yards on two carries (16 ypc). Deebo Samuel (1 carry, 19 yards) and Daniels (1 carry, 14 yards) had also gashed the Bengals defense for big gains.

Washington tallied 130 yards on 13 first-half carries (10 yards per attempt) against a Bengals defense that looked just as bad as it did during the regular season in 2024.

It's always hard to trust your eyes in the preseason. But Cincinnati's run defense did little to inspire confidence, while Washington may have set its running back room without Robinson in the mix.