His chances for an NFL career in shambles, Robinson received an offer to play for the Richmond Ravens of the Continental Interstate Football League. He was still serving his sentence at the time, but was freed temporarily by a judge. While he was playing for the Ravens in 1987, the NFL players went on strike, leaving team owners searching for replacement players. Robinson's coach with the Ravens was a friend of Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, and recommended Robinson to Gibbs. Robinson signed with the Redskins in September 1987 as a backup to replacement quarterback Ed Rubbert.