Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Josh Jacobs

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.

Wednesday, January 7, 4:34 PM

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (knee) said Wednesday that "this is the best I've felt in six weeks," as he's been dealing with a knee injury that he originally suffered in Week 11 versus the New York Giants. Jacobs is off the injury report for the first time since then and should be ready to handle his full workload in Saturday's Wild-Card matchup against the division-rival Chicago Bears after being rested in Week 18. The 27-year-old had another strong season despite the lingering injury, handling 234 carries for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 36 catches (44 targets) for 282 yards and another score as a receiver. Jacobs will face a Chicago defense that allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (134.5) and the fourth-highest yards per carry (5.0) this season. Jacobs profiles as a rock-solid RB1 for Wild-Card weekend in a favorable matchup and with improved health.