Former Alabama running backs Derrick Henry and Brian Robinson Jr. did not play for the Crimson Tide at the same time. But last week, Henry said they “talk all the time,” including since Robinson was shot twice in August.

They talked on Sunday, too. After Henry and the Tennessee Titans defeated Robinson and the Washington Commanders 21-17, the running backs exchanged jerseys.

Robinson made his NFL debut in the game, six weeks after he had been shot twice in the leg during a carjacking attempt in Washington. The District of Columbia police reported Robinson wrested a gun away from one assailant, but another shot him.

“I’m definitely living out the dream,” Robinson said. “I finally got a chance to go out and play in my first NFL game. I can’t really explain how it feels going through what I’ve been through. …

“Being blessed to be able to come back and do it all over again, I never want to take it for granted. I want to leave everything on the field every time I get a chance to play.”

Robinson returned to practice on Wednesday and rejoined the active roster on Saturday after missing the first four games of the season on reserve/non-football injury.

On Sunday, Robinson was the last Washington player introduced before the game at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

“That was great, man, just feeling all that energy from all the fans, everyone who kind of missed the time that I was gone, my teammates waiting on me at the end of the tunnel,” Robinson said. “It was just one of those remarkable feelings. I can’t really explain it. …

“My teammates, man, they’ve been the best for me, honestly. They’ve just been bringing all the energy that I’ve needed ever since the accident. Since my first time coming back to see those guys at the building, they’ve welcomed me with open arms, showed my nothing but love. They just showed me how much they appreciate my presence on this team, and I felt that today. I have great teammates. We have a great bond in that locker room, and I just look forward to continue to build on to that.”

Henry ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 30 yards against Washington.

Robinson had 22 yards on nine carries, which led the Commanders on Sunday.

Washington had Robinson on a limited play count, and Commanders coach Ron Rivera said the Titans expected the former Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa star to carry the football when he was in the game.

“The hard part about it was every time Brian was in there, they were teeing off,” Rivera said. “Now that part of it’s over. He’s played. We know that he’s ready to roll, and now we got to go out and make things happen.”

Tennessee needed an interception with 6 seconds left and Washington at the Titans 2-yard line to seal the victory.

“I thought we fought,” Robinson said. “I thought we played hard. Obviously, we can get better in some areas. This being my first time being a part of the game plan, then I can have new goals going into next weekend.”

The Commanders visit the Chicago Bears at 7:15 p.m. CDT Thursday after sustaining their fourth consecutive defeat on Sunday.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.