Jacory Croskey-Merritt
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt was listed as the No. 4 running back on the Commanders' first unofficial depth chart.
Bill Croskey-Merritt’s stupendous preseason landed him a roster spot on the Washington Commanders. But he still has more work to do to get on the field in the regular season.
Croskey-Merritt was listed as the No. 4 running back on the unofficial depth chart that was released Tuesday ahead of Washington’s opener against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Croskey-Merritt, the seventh-round pick of the Commanders in this past spring’s draft out of Arizona, had 18 carries for 70 yards and one rushing touchdown plus three catches for eight yards in their three exhibition games.
Why Is Jacory Croskey-Merritt Listed as the No. 4 running back on the Commanders?
The Commanders running back room is not exactly a deep one, especially after they traded mainstay Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers last week.
Yet, there was Croskey-Merritt, a 5-11 208-pound back, fourth on the depth chart behind veteran Austin Ekeler, journeyman Jeremy McNichols and 2024 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr.
McNichols, who will turn 30 on Dec. 26, had 625 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, largely in Robinson’s absence when he missed three games with lower-leg injuries.
Plus, Ekeler, who turned 30 in May, had 733 scrimmage yards and four TDs a season ago in 12 games. He’s long been one of the NFL’s most versatile backs, if not an every-down back, since he averages 78 scrimmage-yards per game in his career.
“I think it’s no big secret what Austin can provide in space and getting the ball in that way,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said, according to WUSA. “That’s one of his superpowers.”
What Did Dan Quinn Say About The Commanders’ Running Back Rotation?
Croskey-Merritt may be down the depth chart, but the chart is unofficial, since ESPN lists him as Ekeler’s backup.
Plus, if he is the No. 4 running back he’ll be playing special teams.
“I do think the safeties and the running backs are sometimes your best special teams guys and have spaces to go and make impact based on their speed and toughness,” Quinn said. “So those two positions oftentimes are right in the middle of it all, and the return game especially.”
Still, injuries happen — four different RBs took carries for Washington a season ago, plus both quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota — and Croskey-Merritt may end up being more valuable, especially later in the year with his 24-year-old legs.
Still, Quinn, and especially offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, are sure to find a fit especially for Croskey-Merritt, as well as Rodriguez, Ekeler and McNichols.
“They all bring some things to the table that’s unique, special teams roles, offensive roles, and that’s what I like about [the group],” he said. “That’s our job to find the strengths and pull ’em out of these guys and see what they can do, and it’s a fun part of the process of coaching, too.
“You love having some versatility with the group. So as we’re growing that, I think it’ll take some time to get into that space, and who’s excellent in what space is, and how do we do that.”