Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tee Higgins

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, 12:40 PM

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) will not play on Sunday in a big divisional matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Higgins was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before sitting out on Friday. He was unable to clear the league's concussion protocol after suffering his second concussion in the last several weeks in Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. The 26-year-old will try to make progress and get cleared for a Week 16 contest on the road against the Miami Dolphins. Ja'Marr Chase will continue to be quarterback Joe Burrow's favorite target this week in the rematch against Baltimore, and Andrei Iosivas will now be in play as a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex in deeper fantasy leagues. Iosivas caught a touchdown in the last meeting against Baltimore with Higgins sidelined, but it was his only reception of the game.