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.

Sunday, September 28, 11:41 AM

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) is officially active for Sunday's Week 4 contest against the New England Patriots. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction entering this weekend. Hubbard will remain the primary running back in Carolina, looking to build on his solid ranking as the overall RB12 so far. He should continue to rank as a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside, but we wouldn't be surprised if Rico Dowdle carves out a role after handling 11 touches last weekend.