SANTA CLARA — Brian Robinson Jr. is used to waiting his turn. First it was Najee Harris at Alabama until Robinson became the primary ballcarrier as a senior.
He led the Washington Commanders in rushing over a three-year span after being drafted in the third round, although stepping aside at times for Antonio Gibson and Austin Ekeler.
Opportunities are harder to come by when backing up a healthy Christian McCaffrey. After averaging 211 touches his first three seasons in Washington, Robinson is on pace for 94 with the 49ers, who acquired him for a sixth-round pick in August.
In the last two games, Robinson has begun to feel like a running back again with 13 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns. First came eight carries for 41 yards against the New York Giants, then five rushes for 53 yards in a 42-26 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
“I actually felt like they allowed me to get into a little bit of a rhythm in New York,” Robinson said Wednesday. “They allowed me to stay in, finish a drive, stay in for four plays at a time.”
At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Robinson is a heavy-legged runner that is a nice complement to McCaffrey, who can bob, weave and dart with the best of them. While not a protype for returning kickoffs, Robinson has assumed that duty for the first time in his career and is averaging 32 yards on six returns.
“I think four weeks in a row he has had his best game,” Shanahan said. “So, each week it keeps getting better.”
McCaffrey thinks the same thing.
“I think his attention to detail, his confidence with the offense, he’s gotten better every week and will continue to get better,” McCaffrey said.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak can see Robinson’s confidence growing each carry.
“The more he’s out there, the longer he’s here, the more comfortable he gets with our scheme and kind of how we see things in the run game,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “He got into a rhythm where he can stay out there for a drive and get multiple runs in a row and and impose his will people.”
Tight end George Kittle likes nothing better than seeing one of his backs flatten a would-be tackler.
“I love seeing guys run over people because it sets the tone for the entire offense and I love it when we have multiple running backs that can run downhill and make plays because it eases the load off ebody else,” Kittle said.
Being behind McCaffrey means learning to be a patient. Instead of the 500-plus snaps Robinson would get with the Commanders, he’s on pace for around 180 with the 49ers. Shanahan has often spoke of spelling McCaffrey and saving him from himself, but he’s playing 84.2 percent of the snaps — a high total for a running back — because he excels both rushing (180 carries, 626 yards) and receiving (69 receptions, 692 yards).
McCaffrey’s 249 touches lead the NFL, and he’s on pace for 423 over a 17-game season, which would be a career high. McCaffrey had 403 touches for Carolina in 2019, the year he joined Roger Craig and Marshall Faulk as the only players to have 1,000-plus yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
It was the same situation for Robinson’s predecessors Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason, who got the bulk of their carries either because McCaffrey was hurt or to close out a game with the run.
“Obviously, not playing as much, not having as many snaps, it’s a limited life,” Robinson said.
The only solution is stay humble and prepared.
“I come from a program in college where you have to wait your turn,” Robinson said. “It’s taught me to stay patient and continue to work until my time comes. I’ve still got to prepare like I’m the guy. When it’s my time, it’s time to shine. I’ve got to be ready for it.”
Shanahan has a penchant for creativity and pushing the envelope, but he’s reluctant to put both backs on the field at the same time, even though McCaffrey is a natural to be flexed or put in motion as a receiving target.
“People probably want to have us on the field at the same time, but it’s really not supposed to be that way,” Robinson said. “Christian and I can do a lot of the same things. I want to start being able to do some of the things he does, such as catching the ball out of the backfield and stuff like that. Maybe that will bring more opportunities for me.”
Besides the natural inclination is to leave McCaffrey on the field, one impediment to getting Robinson on the field is Shanahan’s penchant for using a fullback in Kyle Juszczyk as well as an extra tight end to pair with Kittle.
Asked about using McCaffrey and Robinson at the same time, Shanahan said, “It really depends on how the defense would play it and they don’t tend to play us that way.”
Kubiak said pairing McCaffrey with another runner has been discussed if not implemented.
“It’s not something we’re not opposed to all, but just the way the games have gone we haven’t gone in that direction,” Kubiak said. “It’s something we do talk about.”
Robinson is hopeful more chances will come his way even with McCaffrey getting most of the work.
“I’ll continue to grow the more opportunities I get,” Robinson said. “I want to continue to show them who I am and how I can play consistently. It’s a perfect time for me to catch my stride.”
That doesn’t mean Robinson hasn’t given the concept of playing with McCaffrey some thought.
“I can’t control how Kyle wants to scheme and put us on the field,” Robinson said. “Maybe he’ll come through with a package sooner or later to put us both on the field, but until then I’m just playing the game.”