Croskey-Merritt a Surprise Thursday DNP as Commanders RB Room Thins Out
Washington's rookie back sat out Thursday with a groin issue, and Austin Ekeler (chest) practiced in a non-contact jersey. The backfield picture is murky heading into Friday.
Non-contact jersey and a thin RB room make his Thursday status worth tracking.
- Croskey-Merritt a full DNP Thursday with groin
- Ekeler (chest) limited, wore non-contact jersey
- Ekeler: 54 total yds, 0 TD, 7 PPR pts in 2026 (2 gms)
- Diggs, Butler, Owens all out with hamstrings
- Cross ruled out Sunday, didn't travel to London
The Commanders' backfield got noisy fast on Thursday. Rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt was a surprise full non-participant in practice with a groin injury, per the team, and head coach Dan Quinn didn't touch the subject during his earlier media session. Translation: fantasy managers probably won't get real clarity until Saturday, maybe later.
Austin Ekeler didn't offer much reassurance either. The veteran was limited in practice and spotted by reporters in a non-contact jersey as he works through a chest injury. Ekeler has been quiet in 2026 anyway — just 28 rushing yards and 26 receiving across two games, good for only 7 PPR points — so a banged-up backfield only muddies an already thin profile.
Washington's Injury Pileup
It's not just the running backs. Receiver Stefon Diggs and safeties Percy Butler and Tyler Owens all sat out with hamstring issues, though Quinn suggested they could return to work later in the week. Defensive lineman Javontae Jean-Baptiste (new pectoral injury) was also out, while Charles Omenihu (groin) and Marcus Mariota (knee) stayed off the main field but did side work.
There's a sliver of good news. Quinn said safety Nick Cross (illness), cornerback Trey Amos (ankle) and running back Jeremy McNichols are all expected to be full participants this week — though Cross was later ruled out for Sunday after not traveling to London, having been hospitalized for internal injuries following the Dallas game. Amos and McNichols remain on injured reserve.
The quarterback situation is the one genuinely stable piece here. Jayden Daniels keeps producing despite a Week 2 elbow dislocation, posting 459 passing yards, three touchdowns, no picks and 203 rushing yards with two scores across three games in 2026 — 63 PPR points and the clear engine of this offense.
The Fantasy Call
If you're rostering Ekeler, don't make any firm moves yet — a non-contact jersey on Thursday isn't a ruling, and with Croskey-Merritt also sidelined, there's a path to volume if both clear up. But keep your waiver tabs open and have a pivot ready for Friday. McNichols, back from IR per Quinn, is the sneakier name to stash: he's ranked #67 overall (#17 at the position) and could soak up carries in a backfield that's suddenly held together with tape. Daniels remains a rock-solid start regardless of who lines up behind him.
