Jacory Croskey-Merritt Rips 27-Yard Touchdown Against Bengals
Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 46 yards on 11 carries and added two receptions for no gain against the Bengals. Croskey-Merritt, more commonly known as "Bill", followed the hole that was beautifully created by the Washington offensive line and tight end John Bates before showing off his explosiveness in the open field to finish for a 27-yard touchdown. He was mostly stuffed on the rest of his carries as the game went on, and as Washington's reserve offensive lineman came into the game. His stock is on the rise, however, with the recent news surrounding Brian Robinson's future in Washington. The glowing reports coming out of training camp point to Croskey-Merritt having a sizable role in Washington's backfield this season. While Croskey-Merritt is the most dynamic runner on the team, veterans like Austin Ekeler, Chris Rodriguez, and possibly Jeremy McNichols are well-regarded with the coaching staff as well and will likely form a committee in the short term. Attached to Jayden Daniels and an offense that should score plenty of points, he is a great upside bet to make in your drafts.
Source: ESPN.com
Commanders running back Source: ESPN.com
Jayden Daniels Leads Explosive First Drive Against Bengals
Jayden Daniels finished with 14 rushing yards and a touchdown in Washington's 31-17 loss against the Bengals. Daniels didn't need to attempt a pass on the Commanders' explosive four-play, 74-yard opening drive. The drive began with an end-around to newly acquired weapon Deebo Samuel for 19 yards. The Commanders then gashed Cincinnati again in the run game with Chris Rodriguez getting loose for 40 yards. Daniels capped it off with a 14-yard scramble up the middle of the field, where he made a move on Bengals safety Jordan Battle near the goal line, and bounced right off him into the endzone standing up. Head coach Dan Quinn saw enough from the second-year signal caller, who looks primed for an MVP-caliber year after his historic rookie season. The next step will be getting his star wideout, Terry McLaurin, back on the practice field to get ramped up for week 1 at home against the Giants
Source: ESPN.com
Washington Commanders quarterback Source: ESPN.com
Terry McLaurin Not With the Team for Monday's Preseason Game
Terry McLaurin is not at the stadium for Monday night's preseason contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Scott Abraham. McLaurin was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday, suggesting he was making progress in contract-extension talks with the team. The 29-year-old will not play in the second preseason game, but the good news is that he's back at practice with the rest of the team with just two weeks until the start of the regular season. He's looking for an extension after posting his fifth straight 1,000-yard receiving season and a career-high 13 touchdowns on 82 receptions in 2024 while working with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. McLaurin is undoubtedly the team's WR1 when he's around, but his lack of activity this summer has to have fantasy managers somewhat worried if they target him as their WR2.
Source: 7 News DC - Scott Abraham
Washington Commanders wide receiver Source: 7 News DC - Scott Abraham
Brian Robinson Jr. Held Out on Monday Amid Trade Rumors
Brian Robinson Jr. will not play in Monday night's preseason game against the Bengals. The decision was reportedly mutual between Robinson and the team as trade discussions heat up ahead of 53-man roster cuts. Robinson has been Washington's lead back, but uncertainty surrounding his future clouds his fantasy outlook. If he remains with the Commanders, Robinson should retain the bulk of the carries, making him a potential RB2. However, the risk of a trade or role change makes him a volatile option in drafts, likely pushing him down draft boards until his situation stabilizes.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Washington Commanders running back Source: Mike Garafolo
Commanders "Shopping" Brian Robinson Jr.
Brian Robinson Jr. He is entering the final year of his contract after spending his first three seasons with the Commanders. The 26-year-old has played well during his time in Washington, amassing 2,329 yards off 570 carries in 41 regular-season contests. He also caught 65 passes and totaled 20 touchdowns in that span. It's unknown how serious the team will be about a potential deal. It's also not known how many clubs around the National Football League will be interested in his services. However, Robinson's fantasy ceiling may be at its highest in Washington, where he currently sits atop the depth chart. If he ends up getting traded, Austin Ekeler should see a bump in attention from fantasy managers. That would also apply to rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who could have a clearer path to more touches moving ahead.
Source: Jordan Schultz
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders are actively "shopping" running back Source: Jordan Schultz
Commanders Optimistic Terry McLaurin Deal Can Get Done Soon
Terry McLaurin "remains frustrated" regarding his contract situation. Fowler added that there are teams still interested in acquiring the wideout. However, the front office is optimistic both sides "can reach some sort of a compromise," although it won't be a situation where "he plays out the year of his contract or on a franchise tag next year." McLaurin is coming off a stellar season. He finished the 2024 campaign by amassing 82 catches for 1,096 yards while finding the end zone a career-high 13 times. The Commanders recently removed him from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list. Still, the move doesn't mean a resolution to the standoff is on the horizon. With that in mind, the latest update from Fowler should at least provide some optimism for fantasy managers, especially for those who took a risk and selected McLaurin for their squads heading into Week 1.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Washington Commanders wide receiver Source: Jeremy Fowler
Marcus Mariota Out for MNF vs. Bengals
Marcus Mariota (lower leg) will not play in Monday's preseason matchup with Cincinnati, as head coach Dan Quinn is resting several veterans. Mariota, entering his 11th NFL season, is locked in as the backup behind Jayden Daniels. While the veteran brings mobility and experience, he has no standalone fantasy value. Should Daniels miss time, however, Mariota would be a priority free-agent pickup thanks to his rushing upside. For now, fantasy managers can safely leave him off draft boards.
Source: Ben Standig
Washington Commanders quarterback Source: Ben Standig
Commanders' Zach Ertz Out for MNF
Zach Ertz will sit out Monday's preseason matchup with the Bengals. While he's not listed on the injury report, the team is expected to rest the 33-year-old veteran as a precaution. Ertz has secured the starting role and should remain a steady option for quarterback Jayden Daniels this season. The veteran played all 17 games last year, his first full campaign since 2021. Ertz projects as a low-end TE2 in fantasy and is unlikely to be drafted outside of deeper formats, but he remains a reliable security blanket in Washington's offense.
Source: Ben Standig
Washington Commanders tight end Source: Ben Standig
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Dealing With Shoulder Injury
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) was wearing a non-contact jersey in Saturday's training camp practice, according to Ben Standig. Croskey-Merritt only took part in individual drills at practice as he works through a minor shoulder injury. The 24-year-old seventh-rounder suffered the shoulder injury in the preseason opener last week against the New England Patriots, when he carried the ball seven times for 24 yards while catching his only target for eight yards. He has been impressive during camp as he competes for a depth role in Washington's backfield behind Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. Croskey-Merritt's primary competition for a 53-man roster spot this summer are Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. From all accounts, Croskey-Merritt has done enough so far to make the team.
Source: Ben Standig
Washington Commanders rookie running back Source: Ben Standig
Jayden Daniels, Commanders Starters to Play "a Few Series" on Monday
Jayden Daniels and the team's starters are slated to play "a few series" against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, head coach Dan Quinn said. The Commanders are taking a different approach after resting 30 players, including Daniels, in a 48-18 preseason-opening loss to the New England Patriots on Aug. 8. Washington will continue to go without No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin (ankle), however. Even though McLaurin came off the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday amid a contract dispute, he's still not ready to suit up as he recovers from an ankle injury.
Source: Zach Selby -
Washington Commanders second-year quarterback Source: Zach Selby -
Commanders Activate Terry McLaurin From PUP List
Terry McLaurin (ankle) from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday. While this transaction does not suggest a contract agreement is near, it does open the door for the star wideout to return to practice. Through training camp, the Ohio State product has been participating in a "hold-in" while seeking a contract extension. McLaurin formally requested a trade as well. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as this transaction could allow McLaurin to participate in light football activities, which could allow both sides to come to a contract agreement. Last season, McLaurin enjoyed a career year, catching 13 touchdowns and tallying 1,096 yards on 82 receptions. If he were to agree to a contract with the team, fantasy managers should feel confident viewing him as a high-end WR2 playing alongside superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Source: Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have activated wide receiver Source: Washington Commanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt in Line for Significant Role?
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (shoulder) is all but assured of a roster spot, and it "wouldn't be a surprise to see him play a significant role in the offense," according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. The rookie seventh-rounder suffered a shoulder injury in Washington's first preseason game, but it isn't considered serious. Croskey-Merritt's training camp performance has earned a steady drumbeat of praise from both team personnel and Commanders' beat writers. He will almost certainly open the season behind both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler on the backfield depth chart, but it appears that Washington is open to him working his way into more playing time. Croskey-Merritt is a name for fantasy managers to monitor on the waiver wire or even as a late-round dart throw in deep leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Washington Commanders running back Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Luke McCaffrey Struggling in Training Camp
Luke McCaffrey has "received ample time with the ones and struggled" in training camp practices, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Jhabvala includes McCaffrey in his 53-man roster projection for Washington, but writes that he's doing so "largely because he was a third-round pick last year." The 24-year-old McCaffrey saw very little usage on offense as a rookie in 2024, recording 18 catches for 168 yards and zero touchdowns in 17 games. With Terry McLaurin not practicing while he seeks a new contract, Washington desperately needs someone to step up in their wide receiver room. However, it appears McCaffrey has not yet seized the opportunity to do so.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
Washington Commanders wide receiver Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
River Cracraft Signs with Commanders
River Cracraft, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Cracraft has played for three different teams across seven NFL seasons entering 2025, but has never recorded more than nine catches in a single year. He played eight games for the Miami Dolphins in 2024 and caught seven passes for 66 yards and zero touchdowns. The 30-year-old Cracraft is a long shot to make the Commanders' 53-man roster. Still, it's somewhat notable that the team is looking to fortify its wide receiver depth amidst its ongoing contract dispute with star wideout Terry McLaurin.
Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
The Washington Commanders have signed wide receiver Source: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala