The Washington Commanders had a lot of positive takeaways from their season-opening win against the New York Giants Sunday. Among the most notable storylines was the play out of the backfield.
Just ahead of the regular season, Washington's crowded running back corps shrank slightly when Brian Robinson Jr. was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. With the team's leading rusher from last season gone, it opened the door for new faces to land a larger role in 2025.
One player many wanted to see get an opportunity to showcase their talents more was rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. He'd get the chance to do so Sunday due to Chris Rodriguez being a healthy scratch, and he didn't let this chance go to waste.
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt reflects on Commanders debut
During the preseason, Croskey-Merritt turned a lot of heads with his strong play. He managed to carry this momentum into Sunday's season opener, putting together a noteworthy NFL debut.
The rookie was Washington's leading rusher in their 21-6 victory, totaling 82 yards on the ground. Most of these came from one play, as he pulled off a 42-yard run in the second half. Croskey-Merritt also managed to find the end zone in his first NFL game.
While speaking with the media after the win, Croskey-Merritt gave his thoughts on his professional debut. He was grateful for the opportunity to prove he can contribute, and happy with how things went for him against the Giants.
"This whole day was amazing. Just being able to be on the field with my teammates. I waited a long time for this, I just want to give these guys thanks for just pushing me and believing in me," Croskey-Merritt said.
In their first official depth chart of the year, Croskey-Merritt found himself as the Commanders' fourth-string running back. Based on how he performed Sunday, that very well could change moving forward. Although he was drafted in the seventh round, he looks as though he can provide a boost to Washington's offense as a rookie.
There is no telling what Croskey-Merritt's workload will look like when Rodriguez is back in the fold. However, based on his debut, it's clear the Commanders need to continue exploring what they have in the young running back.
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