Who Should I Start? Nick Chubb or Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Saturday, August 23, 1:11 PM

Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb will not suit up for the team's preseason finale on Saturday versus the Detroit Lions, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Alexander notes that unless Chubb is dealing with an injury, he's likely a lock to start in Week 1 of the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Sept. 7, with Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) still sidelined due to injury. Dameon Pierce, rookie Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale were all in uniform for Saturday's contest in Detroit. In his lone preseason appearance, the 29-year-old Chubb had five carries for 25 yards and caught one pass for a gain of four yards. Chubb, a four-time Pro Bowler, might get the start in Week 1, but Houston figures to mix and match in their backfield until Mixon is able to return. He did not look like the same explosive back last year after a serious knee injury in 2023 and is only the RB53 at RotoBaller.

Monday, September 1, 7:51 PM

Josh Taylor of A to Z Sports thinks that Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is likely to roll out running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the lead back in Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has gotten a lot of hype this summer, but the Commanders could use a committee backfield approach involving Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt, Austin Ekeler, receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and quarterback Jayden Daniels. Rodriguez is an experienced back that has surprising speed in addition to being a power back. He ranked second in 2024 in PFF's elusive rating in fifth in yards after contact. It doesn't mean that Croskey-Merritt won't be a huge factor in 2025, though, and the Commanders haven't had a home run threat like him in a while. Rodriguez is rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues and is worth watching if you already need RB depth.