September 9, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters on Tuesday that he has "zero concern" after quarterback
Jayden Daniels (wrist) showed up on Monday's estimated injury report with a wrist issue, according to NFL.com. Daniels is fully expected to start in a Week 2 matchup on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers. The 24-year-old second-year signal-caller wasn't asked to do too much in the easy Week 1 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, and he finished by going 19-for-30 passing for 233 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Daniels ran the football 11 times for 68 yards but was unable to find the end zone with his legs. He finished as the QB13 for the week, which is a bit disappointing, but Daniels has high-end QB1 upside each and every week, and he should be asked to do more in what could be a shootout with Green Bay on Thursday.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com
September 9, 2025
After watching how the Washington Commanders used new wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. in the Week 1 win over the New York Giants, The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala writes that it's clear the team wants him to "be everywhere" and to "do everything." Samuel played 54 offensive snaps and caught seven of a team-high 10 targets for 77 yards. Most of his snaps (74.5%) and targets (six) came from the slot, but the 29-year-old also lined up out wide and in the backfield. He had a 19-yard rushing touchdown and was used on three WR screens. With the 49ers, Samuel was a deep target around only eight times per year. But in Week 1 on Sunday he was targeted deep twice. He was also Washington's lead returner on kickoffs. It's no secret now that the Commanders plan to use Samuel a lot, and in all situations. It will leave him more vulnerable to injury, but it will also rejuvenate his fantasy appeal.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
September 8, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Austin Ekeler (shoulder) is on the initial injury report for Week 2 and was listed as limited on the team's estimated injury report for Monday. The Commanders conducted a walk-through practice. While Ekeler's status should be followed heading into Thursday night's tilt against the Green Bay Packers, he should be able to suit up in Week 2. The 30-year-old played on only 33 of the team's 70 offensive snaps in their Week 1 win over the New York Giants while carrying the ball six times for 26 yards and catching all three of his targets for 31 yards as a pass-catcher. Rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the team's RBs with 10 carries and had a team-high 82 rushing yards and a touchdown. JCM already looks like the leader on early downs in Washington, leaving Ekeler as the Commanders' primary pass-catching back in a committee.
--Keith HernandezSource: Washington Commanders
September 8, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz recorded three catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in his team's 21-6 Week 1 victory over the New York Giants. Ertz finished second on the Commanders in targets (five), behind only wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. (10). The 34-year-old tight end is not an explosive player, but he's proven to be a reliable end zone target for Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels. In 21 games (including playoffs) playing with Daniels, Ertz has found the end zone nine times. He profiles as a fringe fantasy TE1 who is reliant on touchdowns but should provide a safe floor for fantasy managers, particularly in PPR-scoring formats.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
September 8, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt tallied 82 rushing yards and a score on 10 attempts in his NFL debut on Sunday afternoon against the New York Giants. The seventh-round rookie was unable to bring in his lone target. Despite sitting lower on the depth chart to open the game and throughout most of camp, Croskey-Merritt outpaced all Washington running backs in carries and yards. Veteran and presumed starter
Austin Ekeler ran the ball just six times while journeyman Jermey McNichols totaled just four attempts.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. was listed as a healthy scratch. However, Ekeler had a more important role in the passing game, seeing three targets. Even though Croskey-Merritt may see his ceiling limited due to his capped receiving upside, the team appears to already view him as their primary running back in early-down work. As a result, managers should view the Arizona product as a solid RB2 in all leagues heading into a Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
--Andy SmithSource: ESPN.com
September 7, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels completed 19 of his 30 pass attempts for 233 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 1 win over the New York Giants. He also rushed for 68 yards on 11 attempts. While Daniels only had the one touchdown, it was still a solid day for him in terms of rushing production and playing turnover-free football. Last year's No. 2 pick opened the 2025 season on an impressive note, but his competition will get tougher next week when he faces the Green Bay Packers, led by newcomer Micah Parsons. Green Bay's defense just held Detroit to 13 points, of which seven came during garbage time. Daniels still ranks as a mid-range QB1 thanks to his rushing ability.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 7, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. caught seven of his 10 targets for 77 yards during Sunday's Week 1 win over the New York Giants. He also added a 19-yard rushing touchdown. On a team with several weapons on the offensive side of the ball, it was intriguing to see Samuel emerge as the top contributor. He had 14 more scrimmage yards than
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, five more receptions than
Terry McLaurin, and twice as many targets as
Zach Ertz. Given his prominent role, Samuel should be trusted as a low-end WR2 heading into Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 7, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's Week 1 contest against the New York Giants. It's no surprise that Washington is only carrying three active running backs on Sunday, but it's a bit stunning to see that Rodriguez is the odd man out. He drew praise from the coaching staff for his ability to step into a larger role this offseason, and he showed bursts of upside last year, such as Week 13, when he rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Austin Ekeler should lead the Washington backfield on Sunday while
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and
Jeremy McNichols also carve out significant roles.
--Andersen PickardSource: Washington Commanders
September 7, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been gaining traction throughout training camp and the preseason. The trade of
Brian Robinson Jr. has given Croskey-Merritt a clear path to playing time in Washington. The Commanders have stated that Croskey-Merritt will be involved during the season opener. However, it's unclear how much he'll actually play in this game. The Commanders have four backs that they'll probably mix in at some point. Croskey-Merritt is a great stash, but his Week 1 outlook is hard to predict. He's probably best served on the fantasy benches until he has a proven role in the offense.
--Andy WebbSource: Ben Standig
September 7, 2025
Washington Commanders kicker
Matt Gay (illness) was recently cleared to suit up for Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants. Gay was brought in during the offseason on a one-year, $4.25 million deal. He has bounced around in the league, but had pretty decent success in 2024. Gay knocked down 31-of-37 field goal attempts while hitting 33-of-33 extra point attempts during the 2024 campaign with the Indianapolis Colts. He's not an elite fantasy option, but should get plenty of chances in Washington. Gay is a viable streaming option against the shaky Giants defense in Week 1.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols is back for his second season with the team after earning a spot on the final roster. McNichols was a valuable player in pass protection and special teams last season, in addition to showing versatility as a runner and receiver when needed. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored five touchdowns, including two in Week 4 against Arizona last season and one against Detroit in the playoffs. The 29-year-old has bounced around multiple teams before Washington, but has carved out a nice role on special teams and as a stout pass protector, where the coaches rave about him. McNichols won't be relevant for fantasy purposes in Week 1, but will likely be on the field for some snaps.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. has had a strong training camp and preseason, which ultimately led to his inclusion on the final roster. Rodriguez could play a significant role as the primary early-down back in Week 1 against the Giants. He proved to be up to the task in his small sample of touches last season, leading all running backs with at least 25 rushes in Success Rate at 57%. His peripherals are all very encouraging, and then he showed up to camp after off-season training with a transformed body, looking faster and leaner. The results have been positive with him reaching 20 MPH in practice more times this year than ever before, including on a breakaway run against the Bengals in Washington's second preseason game. The backfield will be by committee, and there is a lot of uncertainty for how it will all shake out. Rodriguez is a worthwhile stash to hold through Week 1 to see what happens, but not a startable option.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Austin Ekeler should handle a lot of the work in the Washington backfield in Week 1 against the Giants. Ekeler is coming off a strong bounceback season in his first year with Washington, totaling 733 yards from scrimmage with four touchdowns in 12 games. He still proved deadly as a pass catcher as he led the position in yards per reception at 10.5. Ekeler is likely to take care of the pass-down responsibilities while also maybe taking on more as a rusher this year. But he has also been aware that limiting his reps is best to keep him most effective, and they have capable backs behind him to help carry the load.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt will likely handle early-down responsibilities and earn volume in carries. Ekeler is the trusted veteran in the room and should get most of the high-value touches, receptions, and rushes inside the 10-yard line. He is a solid flex play for Week 1.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt's role in the backfield is still unclear for Week 1 against the Giants. Croskey-Merritt, or who many now refer to as "Bill," was recently listed as RB4 on the team's unofficial depth chart. It becomes a question of whether the Washington coaching staff opts to keep four running backs active on gameday.
Austin Ekeler will be in line to see most of the snaps, while
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and
Jeremy McNichols could also be in the mix for touches and play special teams. He is the most explosive and shifty runner in Washington's running back room, which should lead to some touches even if he isn't the starter right away. Croskey-Merritt has been one of the more trendy names of draft season, and he is one of the better upside picks to take. However, the usage is tough to predict for Week 1 and should likely stay on benches.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver
Jaylin Lane figures to serve as a depth option at receiver and handle punt return duties in Week 1 against the Giants. The trio of receivers ahead of Lane on the depth chart all finally seem to be healthy and present with the team for the first time all camp, with
Noah Brown off the injury report and
Terry McLaurin securing a long-term extension.
Deebo Samuel Sr. has been healthy and making plays all camp, and Lane is another guy who is dynamic with the ball in his hands and can stretch the defense vertically with his 4.34 speed. The fourth-rounder started to really emerge late in training camp and in the second preseason game, showing flexibility from the slot and outside. Lane should mix into the receiver rotation and could earn a schemed touch or two on Sunday against the Giants. He is worth putting on watch lists in redraft leagues early in the season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
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