Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Royce Freeman

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, January 6, 9:21 PM

Chicago Bears running back Royce Freeman has been cut by the organization on Monday. Freeman joined the Bears practice squad in mid-December after being released by the Cleveland Browns in October. The veteran back has now been cut from the practice squad on Monday. Freeman never made it to the active roster for the Bears this season. He didn't have much of a chance to see reps with D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson getting a majority of the snaps in the backfield. Freeman will look to catch on elsewhere ahead of next season.