The Commanders’ receiving back missed last week due to a shoulder injury.
Washington has used a traditional two-man backfield to start the season, with Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the early-down back and White as the passing-down back. Kaytron Allen was the third back on the depth chart. Last week, in White’s absence, Washington brought back Austin Ekeler, the man who had White’s role in 2024 and early in 2025 before a season-ending injury. Washington also elevated Craig Reynolds from the practice squad. They both surpassed Allen on the depth chart, and Allen was subsequently released on Thursday. While Washington likely wanted Allen for the practice squad, the Miami Dolphins claimed him. This week, Washington was largely back to its two-man rotation. Ekeler only played six snaps. They all came in normal early-down situations in the second quarter. This is good news for Croskey-Merritt and White, as Ekeler looked good last week, and it seemed like he could turn this into more of a three-man rotation. Croskey-Merritt had a great day on the ground, gaining 11 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. However, Croskey-Merritt didn’t garner a target, and he needs at least a little bit of receiving volume to trust him in fantasy starting lineups.
Ollie Gordon II continues to lead the Dolphins' backfield, but Miami appears to be open to change. Since De’Von Achane landed on injured reserve, Gordon has been the running back by default. Jaylen Wright has been dealing with a foot injury and was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. He was questionable for the game. The Dolphins waived running back Carlos Washington Jr. on Monday, signed him to the practice squad on Wednesday and activated him off the practice squad to be their third running back on Saturday. Miami also claimed Kaytron Allen off waivers from the Washington Commanders, but made him inactive for this game. Gordon remained the primary running back on early downs with Wright as the backup, but Washington started to get somewhat involved during two-minute drills as well as third downs. Gordon played well as a runner with 18 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown, but no running back received a target. While Gordon can remain in fantasy starting lineups for now, it’s possible that Wright starts to play better once his foot is better healed; it’s also possible Washington further takes on the passing-down role, and Allen may be active in the near future. Those who are rostering Gordon should be cautiously optimistic.
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