Robert Henry Jr., one of the Washington Commanders’ preseason standouts, is officially heading to New Orleans! NFL insider Jordan Schultz broke the news Monday night that the Saints, who are currently duking it out with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, are signing the running back off Washington’s practice squad. This move has huge implications for both squads, trust me.
From College Star to Undrafted Gem: Henry’s Wild Ride
Let’s talk about Robert Henry Jr. This dude has had a journey, for real. He started his college ball at Jones College in Mississippi before balling out for his final three seasons at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His college numbers speak for themselves: 588 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023, 706 yards and seven scores in 2024, and then blowing up with 1,045 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. Yeah, he was a certified playmaker.
But even with those stats, Henry went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, signing with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent. He flashed big time, with a standout performance in Washington’s first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. After that game, some folks really thought his speed could get him onto the 53-man roster. But the magic didn’t quite carry over to the final two preseason games. Now, he’s gone.
Washington’s Running Back Room: A Rollercoaster
So, what’s left in Washington’s running back room now that Henry’s bounced? It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, honestly. They kept Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White, rookie Kaytron Allen, and Jeremy McNichols, though McNichols started the season on injured reserve. And get this: just last week, the Commanders re-signed veteran Austin Ekeler. Ekeler, in his first game back in over a year, carried the ball four times for 29 yards in Week 4, which was the most by any Washington running back in that game.
Think about that for a second. The dude who just came off the street had the most yards for them in Week 4. It really makes you wonder what’s going on with their depth chart and how they’re planning to get consistent production. Losing a preseason standout like Henry to a practice squad raid definitely adds to the chaos.
A New Opportunity in the Big Easy
For Robert Henry Jr., this is a fresh start and a massive opportunity. He’s joining a Saints team that needs bodies in the backfield. Their running backs room features Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and rookie CJ Donaldson. Plus, New Orleans recently placed free-agent acquisition Travis Etienne on injured reserve, opening up a spot.
Henry’s going into a situation where he could potentially make an impact sooner rather than later, especially with Etienne on the sidelines. Can he recapture that preseason magic and prove Washington made a mistake letting him walk? The Saints are deep in their game against the Falcons right now, but you know they’re always looking to strengthen the squad. This signing means Henry has a real shot to show what he’s got. Keep an eye on the Saints’ backfield in the coming weeks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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