Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Travis Etienne Jr.

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.

Sunday, September 28, 9:38 PM

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. dominated the San Francisco 49ers with 19 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown in his team's 26-21 Week 4 win. The 26-year-old is off to a terrific start to the 2025 season, with 65 carries for 394 yards and two touchdowns as a rusher, and six catches for 32 yards and a score as a receiver through his first four games. Etienne Jr. is also dominating backfield touches in Jacksonville so far, as Jaguars backup running backs Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. combined for just six touches in Week 4. Etienne Jr. profiles as a must-start fantasy running back going into a Week 5 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.