Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Kimani Vidal

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, November 28, 9:44 AM

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has been the Chargers' primary running back while Omarion Hampton (ankle) has been working his way back from an ankle injury he suffered in Week 5. Recent reports have suggested that Hampton has been limited in practice all week and is expected to return to the lineup. The Chargers have until Saturday afternoon to activate Hampton from the IR, and that may determine the fate of second-year running back Vidal, out of Troy University, and whether he remains fantasy relevant or not. Once healthy, Hampton figures to handle a majority of the workload, as the rookie running back out of North Carolina has rushed for 314 yards and two touchdowns while catching 20 passes for 136 yards over five games this season and is clearly the better back from a skill-set standpoint, which is why the Chargers spent a first-round draft pick on him in the 2025 NFL Draft. Vidal has stepped in and has been productive in Hampton's absence, with 417 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards, and three touchdowns, and is deserving of earning a portion of the running back touches even with Hampton healthy. The question is whether that amount of touches is enough to remain fantasy-relevant or not. Fantasy managers should hold onto Vidal for another week or two and see how things play out while Hampton ramps up.