Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Isiah Pacheco

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.

Monday, November 10, 3:54 PM

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid "nudged" that running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) may take more time and might not be ready to return coming out of the bye to face the division-rival Denver Broncos in Week 11, according to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride. Pacheco sat out of the Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but at the time, he was expected to be ready to go coming out of the Chiefs' Week 10 bye. The 26-year-old isn't dealing with a serious injury, but KC might just want to play it safe to ensure that they'll have Pacheco at full speed for the final stretch of the regular season. If Pacheco misses a second straight game, veteran Kareem Hunt should once again handle the bulk of the backfield work, with rookie Brashard Smith and Clyde Edwards-Helaire battling for change-of-pace snaps. After playing in only seven regular-season games in 2024 due to injury, Pacheco has disappointed again in 2025, rushing for 329 yards and only one touchdown on 78 carries through eight starts.