Commanders lose running back to injured reserve

Running back sidelined

The Washington Commanders have placed starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve. This move will sideline him for at least four games. He re-injured his groin during a Week 5 tie against the New York Giants. He originally hurt the groin in training camp, which caused him to miss the final two preseason games.

Croskey-Merritt leads Washington with 239 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season. During his rookie year in 2025, he led the team with 805 rushing yards. His yards per carry average dropped from 4.6 last year to 3.6 this season.

Roster moves and returns

Washington activated Jeremy McNichols off injured reserve after he recovered from a quad injury sustained in training camp. His return adds depth to a running back group that includes Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler. The team also activated backup inside linebacker Jordan Magee off injured reserve to help on special teams.

On the defensive side, cornerback Trey Amos was activated ahead of the game against the San Francisco 49ers. Amos fractured his left fibula in Week 9 of last season and later dealt with soft tissue soreness and an ankle injury. Meanwhile, backup outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste went on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.

Ground game reliance

The Washington run game ranks seventh in the NFL with a 4.7 yards per carry average. However, much of that production comes from quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Washington leads the league with 268 yards rushing by its quarterbacks, including touchdown runs of 38 and 26 yards by Daniels against the Giants.