The San Francisco 49ers aren’t done wheeling and dealing! Two days after trading for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore, the Niners are now looking to retool another skill position. The Washington Commanders are sending running back Brian Robinson to the Bay for a sixth-round pick, per Adam Schefter.

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Robinson was selected by the Commanders with their third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. After missing part of his rookie season due to a shooting incident, the former Alabama running back came back the same year and played 12 games. He finished his rookie year with 797 yards and two touchdowns.

Last season, Robinson played in 13 games, finishing the season with 789 yards and eight touchdowns. He primarily shared snaps with Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, playing just under 50% of the total snaps on offense for the Commanders.

Robinson’s role will drastically change with the 49ers. Instead of being the lead running back, Robinson will most likely be the primary backup to Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey missed most of 2024 due to an Achilles injury he sustained during training camp. By the time he returned, the 49ers were out of playoff contention. As a result, McCaffrey played in only four games.

Considering McCaffrey’s lengthy injury history, trading for a starting-caliber running back as their backup is a great idea for the 49ers. In McCaffrey’s last healthy season, he was used in over 76% of the Niners’ snaps on offense. Perhaps this trade signals a shift in San Francisco’s offense, as they look to give their star running back more rest during the regular season.

Related: 49ers’ Trent Williams getting OPOY vibes from Christian McCaffrey ahead of season

Related: Ricky Pearsall gets brutally honest on 49ers’ WR injuries

The 49ers have dealt with a slew of injuries at the running back position behind starter Christian McCaffrey. Backup Isaac Guerendo has been managing a shoulder injury throughout the month of August, though he returned to practice on Tuesday.

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Further down the depth chart, Patrick Taylor Jr. suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, while rookie Corey Kiner was carted off with a high ankle sprain in Week 2 of the preseason.

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Robinson sat out of the Commanders’ preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday in what was a mutual decision between the team and player, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The move sparked additional questions about Robinson’s future with the team, given that there was already trade speculation heading into the season.

Robinson, 26, was drafted by the Commanders in the third round of the 2022 draft out of Alabama. The running back is currently on the final year of his four-year rookie contract, and is set to earn $3,406,000 this season.

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Robinson had led the Commanders in rush attempts in each of his three years with the team, having posted back-to-back seasons with 900+ scrimmage yards and 8+ touchdowns.

Ahead of cutting down to its final 53-man roster, the Commanders had seven running backs on the team prior to dealing Robinson, who was listed in the preseason depth chart as RB1.

With Robinson joining the 49ers, veteran Austin Ekeler moves into the starting role, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. behind him. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a rookie seventh-rounder, is in the fourth spot, though he could move up the ladder quickly based on his hot preseason, while two others, Kazmeir Allen and Demetric Felton, are potential practice squad candidates.