Chris Rodriguez is back with the Washington Commanders.
The former Kentucky Wildcat running back, in his second season with the Commanders, was surprisingly released Saturday.
It was a surprise move because Brian Robinson had already missed three games this season. Sure enough, Robinson went down early Sunday in the loss to the Cowboys and did not return to play in the second half.
Complicating matters was fellow running back Austin Ekeler’s concussion on Sunday. This is the second time he has suffered a concussion this season. This could be rather dangerous, so the Commanders will be careful when or perhaps even if they bring him back to action this season.
So, back to Rodriquez, he and Jeremy McNichols are now the only healthy running backs on the roster. Rodriguez has carried the ball in only two games this season, including at the NY Giants, when he accumulated 11 carries and 52 rushing yards. On the other hand, McNichols has carried the ball 44 times for 217 yards, good for 4.93 yards per carry.
Michael Wiley, a rookie who played well in the preseason, is on the practice squad.
With the bye week coming in Week 14, it is possible that the Commanders could choose to sit out Robinson this week, giving him two full weeks to heal before the final four games of 2024. If they were to choose this route, the Commanders would most definitely either sign another running back or elevate Wiley to the active roster.
In two other moves Tuesday, the Commanders signed DT Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad and released G Marquis Hayes from the practice squad.
