RADIO
Dan Quinn on the Hot Seat in Washington
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has an uncertain future with the organization as the team comes out of their Week 7 bye. Quinn went into the team's Week 6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night with some heat, but the Commanders had a strong showing and made things interesting in the loss. Rapoport says that Quinn seems to have bought himself some more time with the way the Commanders played in Week 6, but if the team's performance does not improve going forward, he could be in danger of being fired before the end of the 2026 season. It will not be easy for Quinn and the Commanders from an offensive perspective with top receiver Terry McLaurin (knee) out for the rest of the season, and second-year running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) remains on Injured Reserve. It all came to a head for Quinn in the Week 5 tie against the division-rival New York Giants, when the offense botched the end of the game and failed to attempt a potential game-winning field goal in overtime.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Rachaad White an Intriguing Waiver-Wire Stash While on Bye Week
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White is a very appealing waiver wire target, even though he's currently on his bye week. The Commanders recently placed Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) on injured reserve, leaving White as the team's primary running back. While he won't offer a boost to lineups this week, White will consistently find himself in the low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 range for the duration of Croskey-Merritt's absence. In his last outing, the game script limited him to just seven rushing attempts, but he made up for it with four catches, 30 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown. Managers could wait until the Week 8 waiver process and try to compete with other managers for the opportunity to add White, or they could add him now with minimal competition. He can be a weekly flex (or better) option going forward, so managers in need of running back help should consider adding White right now, even though he doesn't play this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Austin Ekeler a Short-Term, Deep-League Stash at RB in Washington
The Washington Commanders will be on their bye in Week 7, so the next time veteran running back Austin Ekeler will take the field will be in Week 8 against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. The 31-year-old running back does not have much fantasy upside now that he is on the wrong side of 30, but he is on the waiver-wire radar in deep fantasy football leagues this week after the Commanders placed Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) on Injured Reserve. With Croskey-Merritt out in the Monday night loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Ekeler played only 10% of the offensive snaps for the second straight week and had just one carry for three yards. He added two catches on two targets for four yards. In three games played so far in 2026, Ekeler has only eight rushing attempts for 31 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and four receptions for 30 yards through the air. There could be some more opportunities for Ekeler as long as JCM is out, but Jeremy McNichols just returned from an IR stint and will also battle for touches behind Rachaad White. Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 3 of last year and is no longer the slippery and elusive RB in space that he once was.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dan Quinn Planning Changes During Commanders' Bye Week
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn expects to make adjustments on both sides of the ball during the team's Week 7 bye, according to Nicki Jhabvala. Quinn stressed that the changes won't mean overhauling either system, but said the Commanders should look "more precise" when they return. Washington heads into the break at 1-4-1 following Monday's 23-17 loss to San Francisco, a game in which the 49ers built a 20-3 halftime lead and outgained the Commanders 303-90 over the first two quarters. Washington rallied in the second half but couldn't complete the comeback, which underlines the inconsistency Quinn hopes to fix. He hasn't specified any personnel or play-calling changes ahead of the team's November 1 matchup against Philadelphia.
Source: Nicki Jhabvala
Source: Nicki Jhabvala
Rachaad White Is a Solid Stash from the Waiver Wire
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White got into the end zone on Monday Night Football against San Francisco, finishing with a team-high seven carries for 27 rushing yards and adding four catches for 30 receiving yards and his touchdown. With Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) sidelined, White led the backfield timeshare, playing 69% of snaps compared to just 18% for Jeremy McNichols and 10% for Austin Ekeler. He and the Commanders have a bye in Week 7 before returning on Sunday Night Football for a matchup with the Eagles in Week 8. If Croskey-Merritt is out, White is a strong FLEX option, and he will likely remain the preferred third-down option even after Croskey-Merritt returns. If he's available in your league and you need running back depth down the road, stashing him going into the bye week is a very solid strategy to consider.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Headed to Injured Reserve with Groin Issue
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) is being placed on Injured Reserve due to a groin issue, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Croskey-Merritt was already ruled out for Washington's Week 6 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football and will now miss at least through Week 10. Across five games in 2026, the 25-year-old had recorded 67 carries for 239 yards and two touchdowns while splitting backfield work with veteran Commanders back Rachaad White. Croskey-Merritt's lack of pass-game involvement limited his fantasy upside, but he was largely Washington's preferred option on early downs. With Croskey-Merritt sidelined, Washington's backfield now looks like a true committee between White, Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols, whom the team activated from the Injured Reserve on Monday.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Rachaad White Should Handle Larger Workload on Monday
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White has an opportunity for increased touches against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) ruled out. White carries no injury designation despite being limited in the final two practices of the week, putting him in position to lead Washington's rushing attack. He played 60% of the offensive snaps against the Giants in Week 5 but produced just 18 yards on seven carries and caught one pass for two yards. White has yet to exceed eight rushing attempts in a game this season, although he has caught all 10 of his targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. Austin Ekeler (chest) is also available and could handle a portion of the passing-down work, while Jeremy McNichols (quad) remains questionable pending a potential activation from injured reserve. White is a reasonable RB2/flex consideration given the circumstances, particularly in PPR leagues, but his limited recent production and potential competition for touches leave some uncertainty surrounding his ceiling.
Source: Ben Standig
Source: Ben Standig
Austin Ekeler a Viable Week 6 Streamer with Larger Role
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler will step into the No. 2 role on the depth chart for Monday's Week 6 contest against the San Francisco 49ers. As a result, he could have some streamer appeal in 12+ team leagues, especially those with PPR scoring. Although Rachaad White will likely handle most of the rushing volume with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) sidelined, the receiving work could be split more evenly between White and Ekeler. After all, Ekeler, 31, has made a name for himself throughout his career as a pass-catching specialist out of the backfield. Ekeler has just nine touches for 54 yards through two games this season, but a larger role in Week 6 will give him low-end RB3/flex appeal in deeper PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rachaad White an Immediate Plug-and-Play RB for Week 6
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White is worth adding off the waiver wire as a solid streaming option for Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers. Injuries and limited production have kept White off the fantasy radar since Week 3, but he should get back on track Monday against the Niners as he occupies the lead-back role with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) inactive. Since Croskey-Merritt hasn't missed a game this season prior to Week 6, we don't know exactly what White's role will look like. However, all signs point to White serving as the team's primary ball-carrier while splitting receiving responsibilities with Austin Ekeler. As a result, that should make White an immediate fantasy starter as a high-end RB3 or perhaps even a low-end RB2 in deeper leagues. Given that White remains available in 44% of fantasy leagues, he has the potential to be an immediate plug-and-play streamer for many managers dealing with bye weeks or injuries at the running back position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Austin Ekeler A Risky Option in Week 6
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler saw his role decrease in Week 5 after playing an immediate role in Week 4, with his snap share dropping from 26.2% to 10%. Now the 31-year-old has been limited and wore a non-contact jersey in practice all week with a chest injury. There was an expectation heading into Week 5 that Ekeler could see more work with the struggles of Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin), who has now been ruled out for Monday night against the 49ers. Ekeler and Rachaad White should be expected to handle most of the touches in Week 6, assuming both are available. There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Washington's backfield at the moment, and with a Monday night game, it could be one to avoid. Ekeler ranks as RotoBaller's RB48 in PPR leagues for Week 6.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rachaad White Has Flex Appeal on Monday Night Against 49ers
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White could have an opportunity to lead the team's backfield in Week 6 with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) ruled out. White was also present on the injury report this week with a shoulder injury, though he is expected to play after returning to the field in Week 5. White should be expected to share responsibilities with Austin Ekeler (chest), who is also banged up with a chest injury, as well as possibly Jeremy McNichols (quad), who is eligible to be activated off of injured reserve. White's efficiency as a runner has limited his fantasy upside at times, but he is a strong pass catcher and should benefit from running alongside a healthy Jayden Daniels. San Francisco has been exploitable on the ground this season, and opposing running backs are top 10 in PPR points per game against them, giving White legitimate flex appeal for a potential shootout on Monday night.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Officially Ruled Out for Week 6
The Washington Commanders officially ruled out running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) for the Week 6 game on Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers, according to John Keim of ESPN. This was the expectation after Croskey-Merritt was unable to practice all week due to a groin injury that has resurfaced after he was limited in practice last week. The 25-year-old former seventh-rounder in 2025 from Arizona played in last week's tie against the division-rival New York Giants and had 11 rushing attempts for a season-high 82 yards and his second rushing touchdown of the season, although he was not targeted in the passing game for the first time in 2026. The second-year back has not been all that efficient with his 67 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per attempt while recording 239 yards and two touchdowns on the ground as the Commanders' early-down RB. Rachaad White (shoulder) and Austin Ekeler (chest) were both on the Week 6 injury report as well, but they are trending towards playing and should split the backfield work on Monday night in a tough matchup against the 5-0 49ers.
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Expected to be Out for Week 6
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) is expected to be ruled out for the Week 6 contest on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, sources told Ben Standig of The Athletic. Croskey-Merritt was not spotted at Saturday's practice after missing practice on Thursday and Friday with a nagging groin injury. Backfield mates Rachaad White (shoulder) and Austin Ekeler (chest) are also on the Week 6 injury report, so Washington's backfield is pretty banged up right now. If one of White or Ekeler cannot play, the Commanders will have to bring up either Craig Reynolds or Devin Neal to the active 53-man roster for Monday's game. Fantasy managers should obviously move the 25-year-old JCM to their bench for this weekend's action, especially with the contest coming on Monday this week. Through five weeks of his second season in the NFL, Croskey-Merritt has seen 67 rushing attempts for 239 yards and two touchdowns while adding five catches on seven targets for 40 yards. He has left a lot to be desired on the ground with a 3.6-yard-per-carry average.
Source: The Athletic - Ben Standig
Source: The Athletic - Ben Standig
Austin Ekeler Remains Limited on Friday
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (chest) remained a limited participant during Friday's practice session, per John Keim of ESPN. The veteran back has been limited in back-to-back days ahead of Monday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Lead back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) hasn't practiced yet this week, and Rachaad White (shoulder) was downgraded to limited on Friday. Ekeler could see a larger role than normal if one or both backs are unable to play this week. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status.
Source: John Keim
Source: John Keim
Rachaad White Gets Through a Limited Practice Session
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity on Friday, per John Keim of ESPN. White practiced in full on Thursday, but now he gets downgraded to limited due to a shoulder injury. This could be the team just being cautious with White, who has been dealing with this shoulder injury since Week 4. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the next few days. Lead back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) hasn't practiced yet this week. There's a chance that White operates as the lead back for Monday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Source: John Keim
Source: John Keim
