Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tank Bigsby

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 19, 10:31 PM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Tank Bigsby (illness) does not carry an injury designation heading into Saturday's contest against the Commanders. Bigsby recorded his most rushing attempts in a game so far this season against the Raiders last week, racking up 17 carries for 57 yards. He had some heavy fourth quarter involvement with a 31-point lead and the game secured. Bigsby was also just one yard short of his first touchdown of the year. Unfortunately for him, this trend will likely continue, and he will only get this much time on the field when Saquon Barkley is either not healthy or not needed. It's clear at this point that Bigsby is the top understudy in the backfield, but he should not be starting in fantasy with him still being stuck down in the depth chart.