NFL Player News

Rodriguez started Saturday's 30-3 preseason loss to Baltimore and took five carries for 34 yards.

All five carries came on the opening drive, after which Jeremy McNichols came on. Rodriguez played well again, after ripping off a 40-yard gain the week before, but it's perhaps not the best sign for his Week 1 role that he was playing at all (while both Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt were rested). There's been much speculation about the nature of Washington's likely backfield committee, with Brian Robinson recently traded to San Francisco after averaging 13.4 carries and 1.8 targets across 36.1 snaps in 14 regular-season games last year (958 total yards and eight TDs). Most of the fantasy interest centers on Ekeler and Croskey-Merritt, with Rodriguez potentially playing a spoiler role by handling some of the power running. Coach Dan Quinn was asked Thursday about Rodriguez handling short-yardage work and acknowledged the possibility, although Quinn also cautioned against assuming traditional backfield roles.

Strong left Saturday's preseason game against the Rams to be evaluated for a concussion.

The Browns played their healthy starters, with Dylan Sampson and Jerome Ford sharing backfield work on the first two drives before Strong came on for the third series. If a concussion is confirmed, Strong will have 15 days to clear protocol before a Week 1 opener against Cincinnati on Sun., Sept. 7. He's unlikely to be any higher than third on the depth chart even if he makes it back quickly and fellow running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned.

Chubb won't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Lions, which could suggest he's on track for a Week 1 start versus the Rams, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

Dameon Pierce, Woody Marks and Dare Ogunbowale are suited up for Saturday's exhibition. Assuming there's not an unreported injury at play, this is a good sign for Chubb's Week 1 role projection in the event Joe Mixon (foot) is absent or limited. Chubb made one appearance this preseason, playing with the first-string offense last week and taking five carries for 25 yards (plus one catch for four yards). Pierce, meanwhile, is set for his first appearance of the preseason after missing some time with a quadriceps injury.

Ekeler won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Ekeler and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt are the two running backs on Washington's list of players that won't participate. It's a sign they'll share work come Week 1 against the Giants, although there's also talk of Chris Rodriguez having a role, which might include short-yardage carries. The Commanders traded Brian Robinson to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick Friday, showing confidence in some combination of Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols to form a committee. Ekeler's receiving skills make his role the most secure, although he's on the downside of his career and has fumbled 18 times (including playoffs) in 63 games over the past four season.

Blue said after Friday's preseason win over the Falcons that he wasn't concerned about the ankle injury that forced him from the game early, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. "I've had ankles rolled plenty of times," Blue said. "I feel good right now."

The 2025 fifth-round pick is competing for a spot on the Cowboys' initial 53-man roster in a very unsettled backfield that figures to have former Bronco Javonte Williams as its Week 1 starter. Blue has had trouble staying healthy during training camp and the preseason, which isn't an encouraging sign for the somewhat undersized (5-foot-9, 196 pounds) running back, but he's likely shown enough to begin the season in a depth role alongside veteran Miles Sanders.

Croskey-Merritt won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Assuming a minor injury isn't at play, this is the latest hint that Croskey-Merritt is on track for not only a roster spot but also a Week 1 role on offense. The Commanders traded Brian Robinson to the 49ers on Friday, leaving Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez as the favorites to split backfield work with Austin Ekeler, although Jeremy McNichols could also factor in a bit. Ekeler is also listed among the 33 Commanders that won't play Saturday, but Rodriguez and McNichols aren't.

Mafah carried the ball twice for 16 yards and a touchdown and failed to catch his only target in Friday's 31-13 preseason win over the Falcons.

The 2025 seventh-round pick didn't see a touch until the fourth quarter, only entering the game on offense after Jaydon Blue (ankle) hobbled off the field. Mafah took advantage of his opportunity however, getting two red-zone carries and punching in the second one from one yard out for Dallas' final TD of the night. Miles Sanders (shoulder) was also held out of the contest, so the Cowboys' depth chart behind presumed Week 1 starter Javonte Williams could be wide open, with Deuce Vaughn also in the mix along with Mafah for any open spots.

Vaughn carried the ball 10 times for 42 yards and added 22 yards on one kickoff return in Friday's 31-13 preseason win over the Falcons.

The 2023 sixth-round pick got the start for Dallas and gained most of his yardage on the team's opening drive, as he helped set up a one-yard TD run for Joe Milton. Miles Sanders (shoulder) was held out of the contest and Jaydon Blue left the game in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, so Vaughn's solid performance may prove to be timely as he tries to win a spot in the backfield behind presumed Week 1 starter Javonte Williams.

Dotson carried the ball 12 times for 74 yards and caught his only target for seven yards in Friday's 31-13 preseason loss to the Cowboys.

The 26-year-old was the third back into the game after Jashaun Corbin and Nathan Carter, but all three got touches in the first half. Dotson made the biggest splash of the trio as the leading rusher on the night, although most of his yards came on Atlanta's final drive, and he failed to convert a fourth-and-one carry from the goal line. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are locked into the top two spots on the RB depth chart, but the No. 3 role could be wide open with Carlos Washington (hamstring) having missed the entire preseason. Dotson's usage Friday suggests he's not the favorite to claim the job if it is available, however.

Carter carried the ball four times for 10 yards in Friday's 31-13 preseason loss to the Cowboys.

The rookie UDFA out of Michigan State was the second running back into the game for Atlanta after Jashaun Corbin, getting his first touch on the team's second possession, but Carter did little with his opportunities and was out-shone by both Corbin and Elijah Dotson in the exhibition finale. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are locked into the top two spots on the RB depth chart, but the No. 3 role could be wide open with Carlos Washington (hamstring) having missed the entire preseason. Carter may have missed his chance Friday to pull away from the pack.