Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Everything you need to know

Croskey-Merritt recorded 13 rushes for 29 yards in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Eagles. Croskey-Merritt saw eight of his 13 carries on the Commanders' opening possession, though he was phased out of the offense from there after picking up only five total yards. This performance was indicative of an up-and-down rookie season for Croskey-Merritt, as he reached at least 95 rushing yards in two of his final six games but failed to reach 35 yards on the ground in the other four. The Commanders are a candidate to add a running back either in free agency or the draft this offseason, but Croskey-Merritt is likely to have a role in 2026.

Croskey-Merritt (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. Croskey-Merritt missed practice Wednesday due to an illness, but he appears to have already returned to full health. He and Chris Rodriguez look positioned to split backfield reps again during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Eagles. With Rodriguez sidelined by illness himself in Week 17, Croskey-Merritt managed to rush for 105 yards and two touchdown on just 11 carries, momentum that could result in him seeing a larger share of the backfield workload versus Philadelphia.

Croskey-Merritt didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness. Croskey-Merritt paced the Commanders backfield in place of an ill Chris Rodriguez last Thursday versus the Cowboys, taking 11 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Their fates have switched this week, though, as Rodriguez isn't listed on the injury report at all. As such, Rodriguez seems poised to take back a majority share of Washington's RB reps this Sunday in Philadelphia, even if Croskey-Merritt is well enough to play.