The Washington Commanders’ backfield drama reached its peak this week when a seventh-round rookie nobody saw coming suddenly became the reason they could afford to trade away their established starter.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt went from draft afterthought to franchise centerpiece in just two preseason games, and now everyone wants to know: Is this kid for real?
Will Jacory Croskey-Merritt Play Against the Baltimore Ravens?
No, Croskey-Merritt is not active for Washington’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, August 23, at noon ET inside Northwest Stadium. Fans can catch the game locally on WUSA 9 or stream it on NFL+.
The rookie has been one of the Commanders’ standouts this summer, with Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols also in the mix to handle snaps following Brian Robinson Jr.’s trade to the San Francisco 49ers on Friday.
His rise was highlighted against the Cincinnati Bengals earlier this week when he ripped off a 27-yard touchdown on just his second drive of the game. He finished that contest with 46 of Washington’s 185 rushing yards, validating the steady buzz from camp that had been building around him.
His emergence factored heavily into the team’s decision to move Robinson, who had been rumored as a trade candidate all week and was held out of Monday’s contest against Cincinnati. Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic reported that Croskey-Merritt’s performance played a direct role in shaping Washington’s vision for its future at running back.
Can Croskey-Merritt Take Over As Washington’s Lead Running Back?
The Commanders have been cautious with labeling any back their true starter, but Croskey-Merritt has made the conversation unavoidable. At 5’11” and 208 pounds, the Arizona product has flashed power and explosiveness in limited preseason action, totaling 70 rushing yards and a score across two games.
Head coach Dan Quinn has praised the rookie throughout training camp, and with Ekeler on a short-term deal, there’s a scenario where Croskey-Merritt could see an expanded role sooner rather than later.
The running backs group is deep, possibly prompting the Commanders to keep four backs on their initial 53-man roster. Croskey-Merritt, nicknamed ‘Bill,’ will, of course, be one of them.
Fantasy managers are also watching closely. It’ll be one of the key backfields to monitor in Week 1, with no guarantee that Croskey-Merritt’s rising ADP leads to a fantasy-friendly role in the opener.
The usage in September may not be the same as later in the season, but positive reports throughout the summer suggest he has a shot to emerge as the lead runner.
Croskey-Merritt’s path to Washington was anything but conventional. After tallying 1,190 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns at New Mexico in 2023, Croskey-Merritt transferred to Arizona, where an injury limited him to just one game in 2024. In that appearance, he rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown, showing flashes despite the setback.
Despite the limited resume, the Commanders made him the 245th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Born April 12, 2001, Croskey-Merritt is 24 years old and has quickly turned from an overlooked prospect into a player fans are rallying behind.
Whether or not he grabs the lead role immediately, the Commanders may have uncovered a late-round steal who could define their backfield for years to come. Saturday’s game against Baltimore gives him another chance to prove that his rapid rise isn’t just preseason hype.
