Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Chuba Hubbard

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.

Tuesday, November 25, 11:30 AM

Chuba Hubbard rushed for 16 yards on three carries in Carolina's 20-9 defeat to the 49ers. He saw more production in the passing game as he caught all four of his targets for 27 yards. The Carolina RB posted 8.3 PPR points, which was his most since Week 8. Hubbard also played the most snaps in a single game this year since Week 8, at 35%. At this point in the season, Hubbard remains a backup RB for the Panthers and is only worth rostering as a fantasy handcuff to Rico Dowdle. Fantasy players who do not have Dowdle, but do have Hubbard, can cut the Panthers' backup RB if he is still on their rosters. He will work on many passing downs for Carolina, but not enough to post quality fantasy totals.