Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tyjae Spears

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.

Tuesday, November 25, 9:34 AM

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears continued to share time in the backfield in Week 12's matchup with the Seahawks. He only had three carries for four yards, compared to Tony Pollard's 11 carries for 20 yards. Each running back also posted exactly four catches on five targets for 21 yards. While Pollard got more work this week, Spears played 43% of snaps and remains in almost an even snap share. If he can get going in any week, he'll likely end up with over 50% of snaps, as he did in Week 8 and Week 11. His best game of the year was Week 8 against Indianapolis, when he had nine carries for 59 yards and his only touchdown of the season. Spears is getting enough work to still be a deep-league flex play from the waiver wire, although he has tough running back matchups against the Jaguars and Browns the next two weeks.