Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Dare Ogunbowale

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.

Friday, September 19, 9:15 PM

Houston Texans running back Dare Ogunbowale has played significant snaps in the first two weeks of the season, but the veteran could be in for a reduced workload as the team tries to find more dynamic playmakers to jumpstart the offense. He's expected to play a reduced role against the Jaguars in Week 3 as the Texans lean more on rookie Woody Marks instead of the veteran Obubowale. In Week 1, he played 27% of snaps, and in Week 2, he played 20% of snaps. After two carries and two catches in Week 1, he didn't have an offensive opportunity in Week 2. Marks made some big plays as well, showing the spark he brings to the offense. Ogunbowale is only the RB76 in the RotoBaller Week 3 rankings, so he's off the radar in all but the deepest of leagues this week.