Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Nick Chubb

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, December 12, 10:06 PM

Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (ribs) was forced to leave last week's big win over the Chiefs early with a rib injury, but there's still a chance he's available for Week 15 against the Cardinals. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was able to get in a limited session on Friday. If he does play, he'll get a great matchup against the Cardinals' porous run defense that has given up 18 touchdowns to running backs this season. While Woody Marks is likely to get most of the work even if Chubb is healthy, he would bring touchdown-dependent upside. He only had one carry for three yards last week before his injury, but in Week 13, he found the end zone against the Colts for his third score of the season. He's a high-risk flex play even if he's active, even though he does have the potential to get some work, especially if the Texans play from ahead against Arizona