The Washington Commanders employed a full-on committee backfield in their 44-22 Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions. Including QB Marcus Mariota, four players received 5-plus carries, but the results were modest. Washington totaled 93 rushing yards and one TD on 27 carries.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., who was named captain earlier in the week, drew the start against Detroit. Rodriguez out-snapped Jacory Croskey-Merritt 17-4 in the first half. He had 6 first-half carries, including a 1-yard TD, before leaving the game with a shoulder injury.
In all, Rodriguez played 18 snaps, resulting in 6 carries, 7 routes, and zero targets.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt once again led the backfield in playing time and opportunities. Crosky-Merritt totaled 11 rushes, but managed to account for only 30 rushing yards (2.7 yards per carry) and wasn't targeted. The seventh-round rookie has now been under 4 yards per carry and failed to score in five straight games.
JCM's 24 snaps also led the backfield.
Jeremy McNichols saw an increase in playing time, mostly after Rodriguez exited. McNichols played 17 snaps but earned a season-high 5 carries. His average of 5.0 yards per carry led the team and McNichols was the only RB who was targeted, catching one pass for 4 yards in 6 routes.
QB Marcus Mariota also carried the ball 5 times for 22 yards.
We'll have to monitor Rodriguez's status throughout the week. If Rodriguez misses time, Jacory Croskey-Merritt would probably see more touches. But that might not matter much. Croskey-Merritt has had little success over the past month.
Washington RBs are combining to average just 83.8 rushing yards per game.
McNichols will remain the main pass-catching back, but he has only caught 13 passes all season. Washington does involve their backs much in the passing game, especially with Marcus Mariota under center.
Mariota is expected to start at least 3 more games and could finish out what is looking like a lost season for the Commanders one year after making it to the NFC title game.
The good news for Washington's backfield is that the team has the second-easiest remaining strength of schedule for RBs. That includes a Week 11 trip to Miami ahead of the team's Week 12 bye.
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