Who Should I Start? Ty Johnson or Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Monday, January 5, 6:38 PM

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (undisclosed) is considered day-to-day coming out of the team's Week 18 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, according to Matthew Bove. Johnson and Ray Davis saw much more work in the season finale against the Jets, with the Bills resting James Cook after he got the first two touches of the game. Johnson played 33% of the offensive snaps, carrying the ball a season-high 13 times for 36 yards and a touchdown. He added two catches on his two targets for 20 yards and another touchdown through the air. Davis touched the ball a team-high 23 times for 174 scrimmage yards and a touchdown as Buffalo's primary back. The 28-year-old Johnson finished the 2025 regular season with 50 carries for 200 yards and three TDs, adding 263 receiving yards and two more scores. It's unclear if he'll be ready for the Wild-Card round of the playoffs on Sunday against the Jags, but if he is, Johnson will be the RB3 behind Cook and Davis.

Friday, January 2, 10:50 AM

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been a productive player across 12 games this season, recording 435 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 96 carries. However, the 25-year-old has been in-and-out of his team's lineup in recent weeks, missing Week 15 with a groin injury and Week 17 with an illness. In his absence, Rodriguez Jr. may have had his role in the Washington backfield usurped by rookie back Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Over the last three weeks, Croskey-Merritt has racked up 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 37 carries. Rodriguez Jr. is expected to return for Washington's Week 18 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, and he'll likely still see some touches. However, the Commanders may opt to split touches between Rodriguez Jr. and Croskey-Merritt evenly, or ride the hot hand with the rookie.