Commanders' Ron Rivera Backs Antonio Gibson: 'We're Going to Give Him the Football'

An up-and-down preseason doesn't mean Ron Rivera doesn't believe in Antonio Gibson.

Rivera told reporters he trusts him. The football will be given to him. I don't have a problem with that.

In each of his first two seasons, Gibson has been Washington's top running back, with 1,832 rushing yards, 541 receiving yards and 21 total touchdown. He was one of seven players to reach 1,000 rushing yards last year, and he was fourth in the league in carries.

There were questions about his future.

Brian Robinson was a star in training camp and started at running back in the second preseason game. Rivera later said he will have the returner role during the season, after he was used as a kick returner.

It is rare for a team to put its starting running back on special teams.

In the preseason, he lost it six times, the most of any non-quarterback.

Robinson was shot twice in an attempted robbery while he was on the depth chart. He will be out for the first four weeks of the season on the reserve/non- football injury list.

Even with positive news about Robinson's health, the Commanders will still need Gibson until the rookies return to the field.

J.D. McKissic will likely remain a key part of the offense as a pass-catcher and change-of-pace back, but it's clear that he will get a lot of touches at the beginning of the year.