Commanders can’t afford to bench fumble-prone RB Antonio Gibson – The Washington Post
Even though it was Gibson’s second fumble in the first three games — and even though it raised concerns that this season could resemble 2021, when Gibson led all NFL skill players with six fumbles — Coach Ron Rivera doesn’t seem inclined to bench the running back or otherwise discipline him.
Gibson remains one of the Commanders’ most explosive options in space. His uninspiring career stats reflect usage more than ability. In fact, this year, in a role emphasizing third downs and passing situations, he’s flashed the breakaway speed, defenders-on-skates agility and alignment flexibility that enticed Washington to draft him in the first place.
Gibson’s value is not a knock on fellow running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Robinson has been decisive and dynamic out of the backfield, and Rodriguez, a rookie, has thrown a couple good blocks in his six snaps this season. But Gibson, as a complement to Robinson on early downs or as a replacement for him on late ones, remains a critical part of the offense.
But the risks might be overstated. The fumble Sunday wasn’t caused by him not holding the ball high and tight between the tackles, a major issue in 2021. He’s not battling a major shin injury and carrying an immense load as the team’s top back, as he was in 2021. And he’s not handling the fumbles poorly, as he did during the preseason in 2022.
Overall, Gibson is not an excessive liability to put the ball on the ground. Since 2020, his 11 fumbles have come over 715 touches. The rate of 1.5 percent is above league average (0.9 percent) but the same as other skill players who haven’t earned such a reputation for fumbling. In fact, last season, Kansas City rookie running back Isiah Pacheco fumbled four times in 183 touches (2.2 percent), and the Chiefs stuck by him on the ride to the Super Bowl.