Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Tyrone Tracy 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.

Monday, November 24, 12:55 AM

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. handled 20 carries for 62 yards to go along with three catches (four targets) for 68 yards as a receiver in Sunday's 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. Tracy played a season-high 72% of the snaps in Week 12 and had three of the four running back carries inside the 10-yard line, which is notable because veteran Devin Singletary handled all nine carries near the goal line in the past two weeks. The 26-year-old has now gone over 130 yards from scrimmage in back-to-back games, handling 23 touches in each matchup. Singletary was still involved, carrying the ball 14 times for 47 yards, but Tracy operated as the clear RB1, earning the goal-line touches and receiving work that makes him a much more appealing fantasy asset. Tracy should be viewed as a solid RB2 heading into Week 13 against the New England Patriots.