Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Bhayshul Tuten

Monday, September 22, 12:34 PM

Although Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. wasn't all that efficient (3.5 yards per carry) in his 2025 debut in the team's 41-24 blowout win over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, he did lead the team with 11 carries. Rodriguez was a healthy scratch the first two weeks, but he was elevated to the active roster for Week 3 after Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2. The 24-year-old ran for 39 yards on his 11 carries and was not utilized in the passing game. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt was second on the team with eight carries, and he, too, was inefficient with just 26 yards on the ground. Jeremy McNichols and quarterback Marcus Mariota combined for 10 rushing attempts and two touchdowns against the Raiders. Croskey-Merritt has the most upside in the Commanders' backfield moving forward with Ekeler done for the year, but Rodriguez is worth a waiver-wire pickup if you have JCM rostered or are looking for RB depth. Rodriguez is currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

Saturday, December 27, 2:15 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten (finger) has been downgraded from questionable to out for his team's Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Tuten was a limited practice participant all week, but he will end up missing his second straight game due to a finger injury. Before getting hurt, the 22-year-old had recorded 284 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 78 carries across 14 games while playing the RB2 role in Jacksonville behind veteran back Travis Etienne Jr. With Tuten sidelined in Week 16, Etienne Jr. logged 20 touches and played 70% of the Jaguars' offensive snaps against the Denver Broncos. Rookie back LeQuint Allen Jr. recorded four touches against the Broncos and appears likely to handle RB2 duties for the second straight week against Indianapolis.