Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt stepped up in Week 5 against the Chargers, taking 14 carries for 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The other running backs were less involved, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. only getting five carries for seven yards and Jeremy McNichols only one carry for six yards. Croskey-Merritt played a season-high 47% of snaps, while McNichols and Rodriguez only played 25% each. The seventh-round pick from Arizona seemed to gel well with returning QB Jayden Daniels and helped the team secure a big road win over the Chargers. This week, Croskey-Merritt and the Commanders are home against the Bears on Monday Night Football, which should be a good matchup for the rookie to continue to assert himself as the leader of the backfield going forward. He's definitely the most dynamic option of the group with the highest fantasy upside.
Oct 7, 2025 10:23 AM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had the best game of his young career in his team's 27-10 Week 5 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Croskey-Merritt recorded 14 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns, adding two catches for 39 yards as well. The 24-year-old has now recorded 43 carries for 283 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. Perhaps most encouragingly, Croskey-Merritt earned more than double the touches in Week 5 (16) of fellow Commanders running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols combined (seven). If Croskey-Merritt can fully seize the lead rushing role in Washington, he could become a must-start fantasy running back sooner than later.
Oct 5, 2025 9:11 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has weekly upside because he's been so efficient and dynamic on his touches, but the role is still murky as part of a three-man committee in the Washington backfield. Croskey-Merritt is tied with third-year back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in snap share over the past two weeks without Austin Ekeler, each playing 37.4% of the snaps and earning 18 touches apiece. Veteran back Jeremy McNichols has filled in primarily on late downs, playing 11 of 19 third and fourth-down plays over the past two weeks. Croskey-Merritt's role should continue to increase as he gets more experience. The rookie has been one of the most efficient runners in the league over his first month of NFL games. His 5.8 yards per carry ranks second best, while his 58.6% success rate is the best among all running backs. That may not continue in a tough Week 5 matchup against the Chargers, as they have been the stingiest defense against the run. They've allowed just 10.6 PPR points per game on the season. That leaves Croskey-Merritt as a low-end flex play in Week 5.
Oct 3, 2025 9:18 PM EST
ESPN's Dan Graziano reports that the Washington Commanders are "very happy at the moment using a committee" in the backfield, but they "view (rookie running back) Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the most capable one of the three to emerge as an all-around threat." Since veteran running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) suffered an Achilles tear in Week 2, the Commanders have split backfield playing time fairly evenly between Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and Jeremy McNichols. Overall, through his first four NFL games, Croskey-Merritt has recorded 172 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries to go along with three catches for 15 yards on five targets. As long as all three Washington backs are sharing snaps, none profile as fantasy starters. However, it sounds as though Croskey-Merritt is the most likely Commanders running back to eventually seize a true lead role.
Oct 1, 2025 11:43 AM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a second straight underwhelming performance in the 34-27 Week 4 loss on the road to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Croskey-Merritt had seven carries, which tied Chris Rodriguez Jr., for 47 yards (6.7 yards per carry), and caught both of his targets for 10 additional yards in the passing game. The good news is that the 24-year-old led Washington's backfield with nine touches and had a healthy 6.7 yards per rush. However, Rodriguez was even more efficient with his seven carries and led the team in rushing with 59 yards, and Jeremy McNichols and receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. also stole five carries. JCM is going to remain involved in the Commanders' offense, but in this committee approach, he shouldn't be viewed as anything more than an RB3/flex play in fantasy. Since Austin Ekeler (Achilles) went down with a season-ending injury in Week 2, Croskey-Merritt has 15 carries for 73 yards and three catches for 15 yards.
Sep 30, 2025 12:44 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 4 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. He missed two practices earlier this week but was able to log a full session on Friday. As a result, he was widely expected to play despite being listed as questionable. Indeed, after testing his injury pregame, the rookie has progressed enough to play against Atlanta. He'll continue to operate within a committee that also includes Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols. At best, Croskey-Merritt is a low-end RB3/flex in leagues with at least 14 teams.
Sep 28, 2025 11:32 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) is likely to be available when his team takes on the Atlanta Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. "Bill" missed multiple days of practice this week, but did make a return on Friday and is trending toward playing. Washington's backfield, however, hasn't developed a rhythm with Austin Ekeler (Achilles) out for the year. Though he did score last week, Croskey-Merritt has only 48 total yards the past two games, while Jeremy McNichols broke a long run to lead the team in rushing in Week 3. Chris Rodriguez, who was inactive the first two weeks, earned a team-high 11 carries in his return. Croskey-Merritt still has RB3/Flex potential against a good Falcons run defense, but another platoon seems likely.
Sep 28, 2025 7:40 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) practiced in full on Friday after three straight DNPs earlier in the week. Croskey-Merritt should be all good to go for Week 4's matchup in Atlanta with the opportunity to see more work. He led the backfield with a 41% snap share and 23% route share while tying Chris Rodriguez Jr. with two goal-line carries. Rodriguez surprisingly started the game for Washington and led the team with 11 carries, clearly indicating that he will have a role. Croskey-Merritt will need to continue to gain the coaching staff's trust in pass protection before earning a bigger workload. He did, however, have a few positive moments as a pass blocker last week against the Raiders and has been continuously praised by the staff. Atlanta has been tougher on running backs through three weeks, allowing the eighth fewest fantasy points per game at 11.3. That puts Croskey-Merritt in RB3 territory for Week 4.
Sep 26, 2025 9:24 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Atlanta Falcons. The seventh-round pick was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he was able to upgrade to full participation on Friday, which puts him in a good position to suit up over the weekend. Through the first three games of his NFL career, Croskey-Merritt has been able to carve out a prominent role in the backfield. In Week 1, Croskey-Merritt led the team in rushing, totaling 82 yards and a score on 10 carries. While he struggled in Week 2, he was able to find the end zone for the second time during their victory over the Raiders last weekend. If Croskey-Merritt were to miss Sunday's contents, fantasy managers should expect Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols to dominate the opportunities.
Sep 26, 2025 4:14 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) is on the practice field on Friday, according to John Keim of ESPN. However, Croskey-Merritt wasn't doing much with the team doing special teams work in the period of practice open to the media. The 24-year-old did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday due to a sore knee, so his status is definitely worth watching as Sunday's Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons approaches. It's a good sign that JCM was on the field on Friday, but it doesn't guarantee that he'll be active this weekend. If Croskey-Merritt can suit up in Week 4, he'll be an RB3/flex option, at best, in a backfield that remains a committee after the season-ending injury to Austin Ekeler (Achilles) in Week 2. If JCM doesn't get the green light this weekend, both Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols would jump onto the flex radar against Atlanta.
Sep 26, 2025 12:18 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) was held out of practice with a knee injury for the second straight day on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Croskey-Merritt has logged 22 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns through his first three games of 2025. The 24-year-old's status for the team's Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons appears to be in doubt. Croskey-Merritt was part of a backfield committee for Washington in Week 3, splitting touches with running backs Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols. If Croskey-Merritt is sidelined against the Falcons, Rodriguez Jr. could be the primary early-down back with McNichols handling the majority of the passing-down work. Should Croskey-Merritt be active, he would profile as a low-end fantasy RB3/flex option.
Sep 25, 2025 4:18 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, putting him on track to play in Sunday's road matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie has been an early bright spot, leading the Commanders in rushing attempts (22), yards (125), and touchdowns (two) despite not yet starting a game. Washington has employed a committee approach, but Croskey-Merritt has held a slight edge in carries as the team eases him into NFL action. While his efficiency and red-zone usage are encouraging, the Falcons rank 10th in the league against the run, and Croskey-Merritt has not been heavily involved as a receiver, which limits his upside. For fantasy purposes, he's best left on benches in standard formats but can be considered a deeper-league flex given his growing role in Washington's backfield.
Sep 25, 2025 2:46 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt's knee injury is not considered serious, a source told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Jhabvala added that she shouldn't be surprised if Croskey-Merritt practices on Thursday after he did not take the field on Wednesday. The 24-year-old had 10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut in Week 1, but he's combined for only 12 carries for 33 yards and a score over the last two games, including only eight carries for 26 yards in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in the first game without Austin Ekeler (Achilles). JCM should lead Washington's backfield when all is said and done in 2025 with Ekeler done for the season, but he's going to share the load with Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols. Line Croskey-Merritt up as an RB3/flex in Week 4 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Sep 24, 2025 10:29 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (knee) was unable to practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury that he apparently picked up in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Croskey-Merritt played 23 of a possible 58 offensive snaps last weekend -- just one more than Chris Rodriguez Jr. -- and had just 31 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on nine touches. Outside of the touchdown, it was a disappointing first showing for the rookie in the first game without Austin Ekeler, who is out for the season after tearing his Achilles in Week 2. It's unclear if JCM is in danger of sitting out of the Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons, but it's certainly worth watching as the week unfolds. If Croskey-Merritt cannot play, both Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols could be justifiable flex plays against a Falcons defense that just gave up 30 points to the Carolina Panthers.
Sep 24, 2025 5:31 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt appears set to lead the team's backfield in Week 3 against the Raiders. With Austin Ekeler out for the season, Croskey-Merritt is expected to start and handle the most carries after touching the ball just four times in Week 2's loss to the Packers. The rookie has been super productive and dynamic on his touches this season, earning the highest rushing grade among all running backs, per PFF. He burst onto the scene with 10 rushes for 82 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut against the Giants and closed the game out with an explosive 42-yard rush on the team's final drive of the game. Third year back, Chris Rodriguez Jr. will be back in the fold now and could take away some early down work as well as short yardage and goal line carries with his hammer running style. And then veteran Jeremy McNichols will fill in for Ekeler and handle most of the pass-down responsibilities. Croskey-Merritt will continue to have to earn trust in pass protection and other areas without the ball before being thrust into an every-down role. With Marcus Mariota filling in for an injured Jayden Daniels, Croskey-Merritt can still be fired up as an RB2 against the Raiders in Week 2.
Sep 19, 2025 9:37 PM EST
Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said the challenge for rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt will be "playing without the ball." "Every time he's touched it, good things happen," but Kingsbury stressed that pass protection or just running his routes properly is a "big deal." However, the OC said he's "impressed by his work ethic." Washington's top pass-catching back, veteran Austin Ekeler, is out for the year after tearing his Achilles in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Croskey-Merritt has averaged an impressive 7.1 yards per carry on his 14 rushing attempts in his first two NFL games, but he's failed to reel in his two pass-game targets, and it sounds like he has work to do before being trusted in obvious passing situations going forward. Chris Rodriguez Jr. will have a role with Ekeler out, but it might be Jeremy McNichols who gets the first shot in passing situations, starting in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sep 18, 2025 1:07 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is listed as the team's starting running back, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Throughout the first two weeks of the season, Croskey-Merritt has had a sizeable role in the offense, but he has typically been deployed as the No. 2 option, behind Austin Ekeler. However, with Ekeler suffering a torn Achilles during their Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, it appears the rookie will see an uptick in workload. In Week 1, the first-round rookie made an immediate impact, totaling 82 yards and a score on 10 attempts. However, in the second week, he took a step back, earning just four attempts for 17 yards. However, fantasy managers should expect the Arizona product to see double-digit attempts weekly, given his new placement on the depth chart. Croskey-Merritt carries low-end RB2 value heading into a Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sep 17, 2025 7:49 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt could be set for plenty of work in Week 3 after Austin Ekeler's unfortunate injury. Croskey-Merritt received only four carries and one target in Week 2's loss at Green Bay after a really strong NFL debut. He was effective on his limited touches, gaining over four yards per carry. With how often the Packers' pass rush was winning up front and hitting Jayden Daniels, it would have benefited them to run the ball more. Head coach Dan Quinn touched on this in his press conference on Monday, saying that he wanted more of a balance in terms of play calling. Washington dropped back to pass 52 times compared to 12 running back carries against the Packers. The rookie seventh-rounder should see an uptick in snaps with Ekeler out for the season, and the expectation is that he will be the starter. His role on passing downs is to be determined, as Jeremy McNichols is highly trusted in pass protection, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. will be back in the mix for touches. But he should get the opportunity to handle a career high in carries against the Raiders.
Sep 17, 2025 12:40 AM EST
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is expected to step in as the Washington Commanders' starter following the devastating Achilles injury to Austin Ekeler in Thursday night's 27-18 loss to Green Bay. Croskey-Merritt has flashed efficiency early, posting 14 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown through two games despite playing fewer than 33% of the snaps. With only Jeremy McNichols currently active alongside him, the rookie should handle the bulk of early-down rushing duties, while McNichols sees work in passing situations. Chris Rodriguez Jr., a healthy scratch in the first two games, is also a candidate to be active moving forward. While Croskey-Merritt entered the season as a deep sleeper, he suddenly finds himself in line for a heavy workload. He's now an important fantasy asset with starting potential for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Sep 12, 2025 9:26 PM EST
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was barely utilized in Week 2, recording four carries for 17 yards in his team's 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, Croskey-Merritt could be in line for significantly more touches going forward, given the unfortunate news that veteran running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) may have suffered a torn Achilles. Even in Week 2, Croskey-Merritt's struggles could be attributed mostly to game script and Washington's overall inability to run the ball (51 yards on 19 rush attempts). Without Ekeler, the Commanders' backfield consists of three largely unproven backs in Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Croskey-Merritt could reasonably lock down a true lead role at some point in the next few weeks and should be held by fantasy managers in all league formats despite the poor Week 2 performance.
Sep 12, 2025 10:17 AM EST
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