The message was significant. The last time Gibson’s fumbling problem flared up, in the 2022 preseason, Washington reduced his role and added him to kickoff return, seemingly as a punishment. But after the fumble Sunday, the offense ran 13 plays, and Gibson was on the field for 11 of them.

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.

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“In this case … you go right back to him,” Rivera said Monday. “If people say, ‘Oh, that [fumble] had something to do with the way he carries the ball, [like other fumbles in the past] — well, you can’t fault a guy for trying, either.”

Even bigger: Washington can’t afford to bench Gibson. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is calling early-down, score-neutral pass plays 63.7 percent of the time — the fourth-highest rate in the league, according to RBSDM.com — in part, Rivera said, because the team wants to develop quarterback Sam Howell. If the Commanders want to break him in and keep the offense on schedule, they need playmakers who can create explosive plays after the catch, especially because Howell takes a ton of sacks.

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.

The risks are apparent. Since 2020, Gibson has fumbled 11 times and lost eight of them, third-most in the NFL among all skill players. He fumbles at the worst times — all eight lost were in the red zone or inside Washington’s own 38-yard line — and it’s cost the team greatly.

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.

“In a situation like that, [I have to] get down so we can get to the next play,” Gibson said Sunday. “That was on me. I was doing too much, trying to make something happen at the end of the game.”

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.

This year, Bieniemy figures to use Gibson in a more suitable role, decreasing his downhill rushes and increasing his usage in space as a pass catcher. This could keep Gibson healthier and help him maximize his strengths (explosiveness) and minimize his weaknesses (ball security).

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Rivera stressed Monday that he didn’t mind the mindset that led to Sunday’s fumble. It was early in the fourth quarter, and though the odds of a comeback were long, the defense had just gotten a fourth-down stop, and the team trailed only 16-0. Bieniemy called a halfback screen, which had gone for several explosive plays the week before, but as soon as Gibson caught the ball, Bills defensive tackle Tim Settle was on top of him.

Gibson, sensing the magnitude of the moment, tried to spark an offense that had struggled all day. He ducked away from Settle, spun away from a linebacker and, just as he planted to get up field, cornerback Taron Johnson flew in and punched the ball away.

“Discretion is a better part of valor,” Rivera said. “Just take it and go to the ground, we will live with another play. But he was trying, and I’m not going to fault a guy for trying hard.”

The effort and circumstances, it seems, will keep Gibson on the field.