The Washington Commanders dominated the Miami Dolphins throughout the game in their 20-7 victory to start off the preseason. They were especially dominant in the run game with a total of 174 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Therefore, it is only fitting that a running back is Washington’s player of the game: undrafted rookie running back Robert Henry Jr. Henry finished the game with 12 rushing attempts for 75 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry, and his 22-yard touchdown is arguably one of the best highlights from the first week of the preseason.
Henry was not on many radars going into this game. He spent three years with the University of Texas-San Antonio, where he amassed 2,339 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. This game could help him move up the depth chart, as he was on the Commanders’ fourth-string offense on the unofficial depth chart going into this game.
An honorable mention should be given to fellow rookie running back Kaytron Allen. Allen was drafted by the Commanders in the sixth round after having back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 rushing yards. He finished this game with 23 attempts for 85 yards and a touchdown. Allen was a little higher on the depth chart, being listed as a third-string back.
Despite Allen’s performance, the strong stats from Henry, especially as an undrafted player trying to make any NFL roster, make him the Commanders Wire Player of the Game for Week 1 of the preseason.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders Preseason Week 1 Player of the Game: RB Robert Henry Jr