Who Should I Start? Sean Tucker or Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Sunday, August 10, 2:11 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles wants to see running back Sean Tucker get the ball more in 2025, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Tucker is entering his third year with the team and has logged 65 career carries in 28 games played. Tampa Bay has a clear top two in their running back room with Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, but White (groin) left the team's preseason game on Saturday due to a groin injury. According to Smith, Bowles' comments about wanting Tucker more involved in the offense came even before White got hurt. Assuming White can return relatively quickly, it sounds like Tampa Bay may be planning to use all three backs. That could potentially impact the fantasy outlook for Irving, who currently profiles as a low-end RB1.

Saturday, August 23, 11:19 PM

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 34 yards on five carries in the final preseason game against the Ravens. Rodriguez started the game and consistently picked up big chunks of yards. The 24-year-old finished the preseason averaging nearly seven yards per carry, with 17 rushes for 118 yards. Rodriguez fits the role of a hammer and short-yardage back that can get the tough yards, but also had gaudy production in the SEC at Kentucky. He averaged over 100 rushing yards per game in both of his last two seasons. Additionally, he's showing improved burst and explosiveness in camp this year, saying that he's already hit 20 MPH more times this year than all of last year, according to Hayley Salvatore of Commanders.com. Brian Robinson is now officially dealt to San Francisco, and Rodriguez is set to be in the mix for early down touches in the Washington backfield. Touchdowns will be the path to fantasy value for Rodriguez in what could be a murky backfield.