The Commanders believe RB Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles in Thursday night's loss to the Packers, according to multiple reports. That's what it looked like when he went down late in the fourth quarter of a game that was already decided. Ekeler is undergoing additional testing on Friday to confirm the diagnosis. It'd be a season-ending injury and could threaten Ekeler's career. He's 30 and set to hit free agency this offseason. What's his absence mean for Washington's backfield going forward? Let's dig in.

Though he entered the game as Washington's No. 3 RB, seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt lived up to his considerable preseason hype by rushing for a team-high 82 yards and his first NFL touchdown as the Commanders cruised to a 21-6 victory over the Giants.

Crosky-Merritt emerged as a fantasy sleeper with a strong preseason showing. The resulting trade of Brian Robinson to San Francisco cemented Crosky-Merritt as a mid-to-late round target with upside.

In Washington's opener, he lived up to that billing.

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez is a healthy scratch for today’s game vs. the Giants. RBs Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and Jeremy McNichols are active for Washington. McNichols notably plays special teams, while Rodriguez does not. The news makes Croskey-Merritt a safer Week 1 fantasy play. We’re projecting him to lead in early-down snaps, while Ekeler mixes in and dominates passing-down work.

After plenty of trade speculation, the Washington Commanders have traded RB Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Commanders HC Dan Quinn said Thursday that RB Chris Rodriguez will likely be the team's short-yardage and goal-line back with RB Brian Robinson headed out of town. "Chris has that tackle-breaking ability, especially in a small space," Quinn said.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson was held out of Monday night's preseason game amid reports that he'll be traded or released. RB Chris Rodriguez drew the start and played all four snaps on QB Jayden Daniels' lone drive. Rodriguez and RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt worked in a rotation the rest of the first half, with RB Jeremy McNichols handling obvious passing-down snaps. (RB Austin Ekeler did not play.) Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt both ran well. Rodriguez ripped off this 40-yarder on Washington's second offensive snap, finishing with six carries for 62 yards. Croskey-Merritt broke loose for this 27-yard TD and finished with 46 yards on 11 carries.

The Commanders "have been shopping" RB Brian Robinson, insider Jordan Schultz reports. Robinson has led Washington RBs in carries and rushing yards in each of the last three seasons. But he's averaged a mediocre 4.1 yards per carry and is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

The Athletic's Ben Standig highlighted RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt as a standout in the team's recent rookie camp. Standig was particularly impressed by Croskey-Merritt's agility and burst, elements that Washington's backfield lacked last year. "If this proves to be real," Standig said of Croskey-Merritt's performance, "this is the element this offense could use. ... If you ask me for a bold prediction, I could see Croskey-Merritt getting into the [RB] rotation."

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) is active for today’s game vs. the Cowboys. It’s unclear how big a role he’ll be ready for in his first action since Week 12. Ekeler would be a risky fantasy play this week.

The Commanders are activating RB Austin Ekeler from IR. He missed the past four games with a concussion but should be ready for Sunday's game against the Cowboys. See where Ekeler lands in our updated Week 18 RB rankings.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) put in a full week of practice but is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Cowboys. Out since Week 12, Ekeler could play limited snaps even if he’s active this weekend. Try to avoid him in Week 18 fantasy lineups.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) has been designated to return from IR. He's been out since suffering his third documented concussion in Week 12. We'll see if Ekeler plays in Sunday's game vs. the Cowboys, which would ding RB Brian Robinson's value. Ekeler should at least be ready to go for Round 1 of the playoffs.

The Commanders placed RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) on IR, knocking him out for at least the next four games. Washington has a Week 14 bye, so we won't see Ekeler again until Week 18 at the earliest. He can be dropped from all redraft rosters. Jeremy McNichols will slide in as the Commanders' No. 2 RB with Ekeler out, but we could also see RB Brian Robinson get more work in the passing game.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (ankle) is not listed on the final Week 13 injury report after putting in a full practice on Friday. He'll play vs. the Titans this weekend -- and it looks like he'll be ready for a significant role. RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) has been ruled out. That figures to leave Jeremy McNichols as the No. 2 RB, but he'd be a desperation fantasy start.