Who Should I Start? DeWayne McBride or Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Tuesday, August 29, 2:32 PM

The Minnesota Vikings are releasing running back DeWayne McBride as Tuesday's roster cutdown deadline approaches. McBride was selected by the Vikings in the seventh round in the 2023 NFL Draft after a stellar final season at UAB. McBride rushed 233 times for 1,713 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2022. Given his college production, there might be other teams interested in picking him up. There's also a chance he ends up back with the Vikings on the practice squad. For now, it looks like second-year running back Ty Chandler is the direct backup to Alexander Mattison in 2023.

Thursday, December 28, 12:03 PM

The Washington Commanders placed rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, meaning he will miss the final two games of the 2023 season. Rodriguez injured his right ankle in the Week 16 loss to the New York Jets, but not before carrying the ball 10 times for a season-high 58 yards and his first two rushing touchdowns in the NFL. The 23-year-old rookie saw 20 rushing attempts the last two weeks with Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) out of action due to injury. Rodriguez finishes his first season in the NFL with 51 carries for 247 yards (4.84 yards per carry) and two TDs while adding two catches for 12 yards in 13 games played. Robinson returned to practice on Wednesday, meaning he could return to share the backfield with pass-catching specialist Antonio Gibson this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.