Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Can't get going in Week 18
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Croskey-Merritt recorded 13 rushes for 29 yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Eagles.
Croskey-Merritt saw eight of his 13 carries on the Commanders' opening possession, though he was phased out of the offense from there after picking up only five total yards. This performance was indicative of an up-and-down rookie season for Croskey-Merritt, as he reached at least 95 rushing yards in two of his final six games but failed to reach 35 yards on the ground in the other four. The Commanders are a candidate to add a running back either in free agency or the draft this offseason, but Croskey-Merritt is likely to have a role in 2026.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Sleeper RBs
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The good news for Croskey-Merritt is that the Eagles are expected to rest starters in Week 18, and he was able to overcome an illness this week to make sure he's playing in this game. The bad news is that it appears Chris Rodriguez Jr. will also play after missing Week 17 against Dallas with an illness. We'll see how the Commanders use both running backs, but Croskey-Merritt is hot right now with four touchdowns in his past three games. And in two of those games he had at least 11 carries and ran for at least 96 yards. He hasn't caught a pass since Week 11, so he'll likely need a hefty workload or a touchdown to boost his Fantasy value. But given the circumstances with Philadelphia's defense and his recent level of play, Croskey-Merritt is worth using as a flex in the majority of leagues.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Full practice Thursday
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Croskey-Merritt (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Croskey-Merritt missed practice Wednesday due to an illness, but he appears to have already returned to full health. He and Chris Rodriguez look positioned to split backfield reps again during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Eagles. With Rodriguez sidelined by illness himself in Week 17, Croskey-Merritt managed to rush for 105 yards and two touchdown on just 11 carries, momentum that could result in him seeing a larger share of the backfield workload versus Philadelphia.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: DNP due to illness
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Croskey-Merritt didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness.
Croskey-Merritt paced the Commanders backfield in place of an ill Chris Rodriguez last Thursday versus the Cowboys, taking 11 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Their fates have switched this week, though, as Rodriguez isn't listed on the injury report at all. As such, Rodriguez seems poised to take back a majority share of Washington's RB reps this Sunday in Philadelphia, even if Croskey-Merritt is well enough to play.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Week 18 Waiver Priority List
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I don't love the matchup for Croskey-Merritt in Week 18 at Philadelphia, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) can play this week after sitting out Week 17 against Dallas. But Croskey-Merritt has scored four touchdowns in his past three games, including Week 16 against the Eagles. He also has two outings over that span with at least 11 carries, and he ran for at least 96 yards both times. Now, he hasn't caught a pass since Week 11, and Rodriguez can easily take away a good portion of the work. But given how Croskey-Merritt has performed lately, he's worth using as a flex option in Week 18.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Breaks out on Christmas Day
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Croskey-Merritt carried the ball 11 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the Commanders' 30-23 loss to the Cowboys on Christmas Day.
The rookie running back kept Washington in the game, scoring from 10 yards out in the second quarter before breaking free for a 72-yard TD in the third. It was the second time this season Croskey-Merritt topped 100 rushing yards with multiple touchdowns in a game, and over the last three contests he's churned out 226 yards and four TDs. Chris Rodriguez (illness) will likely be back in action in Week 18 against the Eagles, but Croskey-Merritt has done more than enough of late to retain a significant role in the offense for the Commanders' season finale.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Faces opportunity with Rodriguez out
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Croskey-Merritt looks set to operate as Washington's lead backfield option Week 17 with Chris Rodriguez (illness) inactive for Thursday's contest against the Cowboys.
Croskey-Merritt will have a chance to operate in an expanded role in a favorable divisional matchup on Christmas Day, as he and Rodriguez have split backfield opportunities for Washington down the stretch of the regular season. With Rodriguez inactive due to an illness after having been added to the team's injury report Thursday morning, Croskey-Merritt could now handle a workload similar to what he saw Week 15 versus the Giants. Rodriguez couldn't face New York due to a groin injury, paving the way for Croskey-Merritt to log a career-high 18 carries for 96 yards and one score. Jeremy McNichols and Chase Edmonds are available as change-of-pace options behind Croskey-Merritt.
Croskey-Merritt rushed the ball eight times for 25 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 29-18 loss to the Eagles.
Croskey-Merritt saw all eight of his carries in the first half to lead the team, though he curiously disappeared in the final two quarters in favor of Chris Rodriguez. Croskey-Merritt wasn't particularly efficient with his opportunity overall, but he did record long gains of 13 and seven yards while also punching in a touchdown from one yard away. It's unclear why Croskey-Merritt was phased out of the offense, but he appears to still have a role, even after Rodriguez returned from a one-game absence.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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Croskey-Merritt stepped in for Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) and played well in Week 15 at the Giants with 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. He had no targets, but this was Croskey-Merritt's best performance since Week 5 at the Chargers when he scored 27 PPR points. We'll see if Rodriguez can play in Week 16 against Philadelphia, but if he's out, then Croskey-Merritt should be considered a low-end No. 2 running back or high-end flex in all leagues.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Gets into end zone in Week 15 win
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Croskey-Merritt carried the ball 18 times for 96 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-21 win over the Giants.
With Chris Rodriguez (groin) ruled out, Croskey-Merritt led the Commanders backfield in touches with 18 to Jeremy McNichols' 10, and the rookie RB turned that season-high volume into his best performance -- and first trip to the end zone -- since Week 5. The strong effort may push Croskey-Merritt back into a more prominent role in the offense even after Rodriguez returns, but his fantasy appeal will hinge on the more experienced back's health in Week 16 against the Eagles.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Set for more work with Rodriguez out
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Croskey-Merritt is in line for an increased workload Sunday at the Giants with Chris Rodriguez (groin) inactive for the contest.
Rodriguez managed a pair of limited practices during Week 15 prep due to a groin injury, and after being listed as questionable ahead of the weekend, he'll get at least one week off to focus on his recovery. His 55 touches from the last five games thus are up for grabs, and Croskey-Merritt is the likeliest to benefit in the Commanders backfield due to his ability to handle early downs, while Jeremy McNichols serves as a change-of-pace option. A rookie seventh-round pick, Croskey-Merritt has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 7.6 yards per catch among his 134 touches in 13 games to begin his career.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Limited output in Week 14
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Croskey-Merritt rushed the ball seven times for 32 yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Vikings.
Croskey-Merritt was once again uninspiring in Week 14, playing 10 snaps on offense, which was 12 fewer than fellow running back Chris Rodriguez (22). Croskey-Merritt has now gone eight straight games without reaching the end zone, and he hasn't crossed 40 yards on the ground since Week 6. With Washington's season going sideways and Rodriguez getting the majority of the workload in the backfield, Croskey-Merritt is an unappealing fantasy option at the moment.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: RBs to Sit
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Croskey-Merritt is tough to trust as even a flex option in Week 10 against Detroit. He has scored 5.8 PPR points or less in four games in a row, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 5. He also has combined for just three catches for 9 yards on five targets in his past four outings. The Lions are also No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Detroit hasn't allowed a running back to score a touchdown in the past four games against Cincinnati, Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Minnesota. I would avoid Croskey-Merritt in the majority of leagues.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: RBs to Sit
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Croskey-Merritt looked on the verge of having a breakout rookie season when he scored 27 PPR points against the Chargers in Week 5. In the three games since then, Croskey-Merritt has combined for just 12.5 PPR points against Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City, and he should be considered a flex option at best in Week 9 against Seattle. The Seahawks have allowed one running back to rush for more than 50 yards, which was Christian McCaffrey in Week 1, and Rachaad White in Week 5 is the lone running back to run for a touchdown against Seattle. Croskey-Merritt has a limited role in the passing game with seven catches for 60 yards on 11 targets for the season, and if he doesn't find the end zone in Week 9 then his Fantasy production should once again be minimal.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: RBs to Sit
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Croskey-Merritt had a huge game in Week 5 at the Chargers with 27 PPR points. Since then, he's combined for 10.0 PPR points in two games against the Bears and Cowboys. It's hard to trust him as anything more than a flex in Week 8 at Kansas City, and the Chiefs are No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Kansas City hasn't allowed a running back to score a touchdown in the past three games against Jacksonville, Detroit and Las Vegas, which are tough matchups against Travis Etienne, Jahmyr Gibbs and Ashton Jeanty, and that trio was held to 8.8 PPR points or less against the Chiefs. This could be a rough outing for Croskey-Merritt on Monday night.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Held in check Sunday
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Croskey-Merritt took 13 carries for 33 yards while catching one of two targets for a loss of one yard in Sunday's 44-22 loss to Dallas.
Croskey-Merritt couldn't find any running lanes against one of the worst rushing defenses in the league Sunday. The seventh-round rookie still led Washington's backfield in touches, but he ceded a short rushing touchdown to backup Chris Rodriguez (3-12-1). It is unclear whether Jayden Daniels (hamstring) or Marcus Mariota will be under center for next Monday's tilt against the Chiefs, but Croskey-Merritt figures to continue spearheading the Commanders' backfield rotation in Week 8.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Goes off for two scores Sunday
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Croskey-Merritt rushed 14 times for 111 yards, two touchdowns and a fumble lost while catching both of his targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Chargers.
Croskey-Merritt finally broke out of the backfield committee that was holding him back in fantasy with a dominating two-touchdown performance against the Chargers. The seventh-round rookie commanded 14 of Washington's 20 running-back carries Sunday, eclipsing a personal high of 10 set back in his initial breakout game in Week 1. One would assume that the 150-yard, multi-score showing should cement the starting job for the Arizona product moving forward. A preseason darling heading into drafts, Croskey-Merritt's managers can officially fire up the hype train heading into a soft matchup against the Bears next Monday.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Good to go for Week 4
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Croskey-Merritt (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
The knee issue kept Croskey-Merritt from practicing Wednesday and Thursday, but he took a questionable tag into the weekend after logging a full session Friday. With Croskey-Merritt apparently bouncing back well following Friday's practice, he'll be available Sunday as part of a backfield committee with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez, though quarterback Marcus Mariota and wide receiver Deebo Samuel could also factor into Washington's game plan on the ground. After Austin Ekeler (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury in the Week 2 loss to the Packers, Croskey-Merritt played a season-high 40 percent of snaps in the Week 3 win over the Raiders, finishing with 26 yards and a touchdown on eight carries to go with a five-yard reception.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: At practice Friday
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Croskey-Merritt (knee) was present for Friday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.
Croskey-Merritt was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday and Thursday's practices, so his presence at Friday's session is a step in the right direction. Either way, the Commanders' upcoming injury report will reveal both the running back's participation level, as well as his game status for Sunday's road matchup against the Falcons.
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Commanders' Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Knee issue not considered serious
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Croskey-Merritt's knee injury that kept him from practicing Wednesday is not considered serious, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Jhabvala notes that it wouldn't be a surprise if Croskey-Merritt practices Thursday after logging a DNP on Wednesday. The rookie running back had a strong Week 1 performance, rushing 10 times for 82 yards and one touchdown, but he's turned 12 carries into just 43 rushing yards (3.6 yards per carry) in the two games since, though Croskey-Merritt did save his Week 3 fantasy line with a late touchdown. Despite Austin Ekeler's season-ending Achilles tear in Week 2, the Washington backfield remains a three-man conundrum that makes it difficult to trust any for fantasy lineups.
