Both players are dealing with hamstring injuries and neither played last week. Lattimore missed his final game with New Orleans before the Saints traded him on Tuesday; Robinson missed Washington’s victory against the New York Giants.
Robinson, who was limited during practices Wednesday and Thursday, did not practice Friday.
The Commanders will also be without offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas for the second straight game as he deals with an ankle injury. Kicker Austin Seibert, who kicked in Friday’s practice after being limited Thursday and not practicing Wednesday due to a hip injury, is questionable. The team signed Zane Gonzalez to the practice squad as insurance if Seibert can’t kick.
Washington traded three picks to the Saints to acquire Lattimore, sending them third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks and getting back a fifth-round pick. But commanders made it clear from the start that they weren’t sure when Lattimore would be able to play.
“We will always side with player health first,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said.
Lattimore missed the Saints’ Week 2 game against Dallas due to a hamstring injury. Washington wants to make sure he is healthy for the rest of the season.
Washington next week plays at Philadelphia on Thursday. Lattimore worked with coaches on a separate field during Friday’s practice, but Quinn said the team will have a better evaluation Monday of its chances of playing against the Eagles.
Although Robinson has already missed two games this season, he leads the Commanders with 461 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Washington will use a rotation at running back in Robinson’s absence, starting with Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. The Commanders could also promote another running back off the practice squad.
They’ve already elevated Chris Rodriguez Jr. three times, so if they do it again, per NFL rules regarding the practice squad, he’ll have to remain on the active roster. They could also opt to elevate Michael Wiley from the practice squad.
