Brian Robinson Jr.’s rookie season in Washington couldn’t have started much worse. Nor could it have ended with much more promise.

“I’m appreciative of everything that has been granted me, and I have so much to look forward to,” the running back told Commanders.com as he prepares for his second season in The District.

As the Commanders’ third round draft choice out of Alabama, Robinson was shot twice (in knee and glute) on Aug. 28, 2020, as he was leaving a D.C. restaurant around 6 p.m.

It was part of an armed robbery in which two teenagers were arrested and charged with assault with intent to rob while armed with a gun.

The 6-foot-1, 228-pound native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was a quick healer. He was released from the hospital the next day.

The injuries were not life threatening and Robinson returned to the team, and into the lineup, in Game 5 against Tennessee. From there, No. 8 led the team in rushing with 797 yards (in just 12 games) while adding nine pass receptions for 60 yards and scoring three touchdowns.

“I watched myself develop and saw myself make strides week after week,” he told the team’s in-house publication.