With Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) returning to action on Thursday night against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a healthy inactive. Robinson missed the team's previous two games, which afforded Rodriguez 13 carries for 56 yards as a change-of-pace option behind Austin Ekeler. With B-Rob back in the fold, the Commanders will roll with Robinson, Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols as their three backs against Philly. The 24-year-old Rodriguez has played in only four games in 2024 in his second year in the league, with all his statistics coming in the last two games with Robinson sidelined. Obviously, the former sixth-rounder in 2023 out of Kentucky is off the fantasy radar.
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been signed to the active roster ahead of the Week 10 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodriguez is back on the active roster with Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) being ruled out for this weekend. The expectation is that Austin Ekeler and Rodriguez will split up the backfield duties for Washington, with Jeremy McNichols also potentially getting involved. Last week, Rodriguez carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards in the win over the New York Giants. He'll get a tougher challenge against the Steelers defense this week, but he could have some desperation flex value for Week 10.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Could See More Opportunities In Week 10
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. could see increased opportunities with No. 1 running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) being ruled out for a second straight game in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last weekend, Rodriguez surprisingly saw more attempts than the presumed No. 3 option Jeremy McNichols. In that game, Rodriguez tallied a team-high 52 yards off 11 attempts. However, the Kentucky product is still on the practice squad and would need to be elevated before Sunday's game in order to suit up. If the Commanders decide to leave him off the roster, fantasy managers should expect McNichols to serve as the backup behind Austin Ekeler.
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the team in rushing with 53 yards in Week 9. Rodriguez tied Austin Ekeler with a team-high 11 carries. With Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) sidelined, the Commanders turned to a committee approach. However, Rodriguez emerged as the leader and saw most of the work down the stretch as the Commanders ran out the clock. The 24-year-old has spent most of the season on the practice squad, but this performance could eventually push him into the No.3 role over Jeremy McNichols, who tallied only 20 yards on eight carries. For now, Rodriguez should remain on all waiver wires.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Elevated Off The Practice Squad
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was elevated off the practice squad ahead of Sunday's NFC East meeting with the New York Giants. The promotion to the main roster doesn't mean fantasy managers should rush to add the 25-year-old. Instead, it could mean Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) won't be on the field in Week 9. Of course, there is still time for Robinson to turn it around and play. But if Robinson isn't available, Austin Ekeler would draw a favorable matchup versus a Giants defense that has struggled against opposing running backs in the last few weeks, with Jeremy McNichols likely to get his scraps out of the backfield.
The Washington Commanders released running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. on Tuesday, according to source. Rodriguez didn't survive cutdown day after the Commanders added Austin Ekeler in free agency in the offseason. The 23-year-old former sixth-round selection last year out of Kentucky finds himself on the open market now after carrying the ball 51 times for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games in his rookie season in 2023. He added only two receptions for 12 yards. In the end, Rodriguez lost out on the competition for the No. 3 role behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Ekeler to Jeremy McNichols. If the power back doesn't get picked up by another team in search for RB depth, it's possible that Rodriguez will stay in D.C. on the team's practice squad. Before suffering an ankle injury, Rodriguez had a nice little five-game stretch in which he averaged 37.2 yards per game.
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is likely headed for the No. 3 role in the backfield behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler after the team passed on selecting another RB in this year's NFL draft. Rodriguez is the clear early-down backup to Robinson, whether that means five to 10 touches from scrimmage per game or a lower figure. However, he could have a bigger role on special teams if the Commanders view him as part of what looks like a trend of teams seeking bigger-bodied kick returners given the new league rules on kickoffs. The 23-year-old doesn't have a path to any kind of real fantasy value in 2024 unless one of Robinson or Ekeler go down with an injury. In his rookie campaign in 2023, Rodriguez had 51 carries for 247 yards and two touchdowns while catching two passes for 12 yards in 13 regular-season games.
Commanders Put Chris Rodriguez Jr. On Injured Reserve
The Washington Commanders placed rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, meaning he will miss the final two games of the 2023 season. Rodriguez injured his right ankle in the Week 16 loss to the New York Jets, but not before carrying the ball 10 times for a season-high 58 yards and his first two rushing touchdowns in the NFL. The 23-year-old rookie saw 20 rushing attempts the last two weeks with Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) out of action due to injury. Rodriguez finishes his first season in the NFL with 51 carries for 247 yards (4.84 yards per carry) and two TDs while adding two catches for 12 yards in 13 games played. Robinson returned to practice on Wednesday, meaning he could return to share the backfield with pass-catching specialist Antonio Gibson this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington Commanders rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ankle) was unable to practice with the team on Wednesday. Rodriguez injured his ankle in the Week 16 loss to the New York Jets and was wearing a walking boot after Sunday's game, so there's a real chance he won't be available to Washington in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. The 23-year-old had a bigger workload with Brian Robinson Jr. out for the second straight game on Christmas Eve, and he responded by delivering 58 yards and two rushing scores on 10 rushing attempts for the second straight week. Even if Rodriguez returns to practice later this week and is able to play this Sunday, he might be back to third string if Robinson is able to make his return. The rookie RB won't have any fantasy appeal if B-Rob is active.
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ankle) will go for an MRI on Tuesday after injuring his ankle during his two-touchdown breakout game against the New York Jets in Week 16. Rodriguez's right foot was seen in a walking boot after the game, so the results of Tuesday's MRI hopefully able to shed some light on what is ailing him. Starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) has missed the past two games, so Rodriguez's injury could leave Antonio Gibson as the team's lead back in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. Stay tuned.
Chris Rodriguez Jr.
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Commanders
