Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or MarShawn Lloyd

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.

Saturday, December 13, 4:49 PM

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (calf) has been on Injured Reserve the entire season with a calf injury, and he is now dealing with a hamstring injury, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It was reported on Friday that the second-year back will not be activated from Injured Reserve this week. A hamstring injury has been an ongoing issue since training camp for Lloyd, but it wasn't listed when he was designated to return. Lloyd now just has one week of practice eligibility left before he must be activated, or he will be out for the rest of the season. The 2024 third-rounder has been devastated by injury since entering the league, playing in only one game since entering the league last year. If Josh Jacobs (knee) is unable to play in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos, it will likely be Emanuel Wilson (illness) leading the way with Chris Brooks as the backup, though Wilson was also added to the injury report on Saturday with an illness.