Ahead of their matchup with the 49ers tonight, the Commanders have announced a handful of roster moves. Most notably, the team has placed running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve.
The second-year running back reinjured his groin during Washington’s Week 5 tie with the Giants. Croskey-Merritt initially suffered the injury during training camp, forcing him to miss a pair of preseason contests.
The 2025 seventh-round pick didn’t take long to establish a role with the Commanders, pacing the team with 873 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns as a rookie. His efficiency has dropped a bit in 2026; after averaging 4.7 yards per touch last year, JCM is averaging only 3.9 yards per touch through the first month-plus of this season. However, he’s still putting up similar counting stats, as his 47.8 rushing yards per game is basically on par with his 2025 average.
Offseason acquisition Rachaad White has occasionally stolen some of JCM’s reps this year, and the veteran will surely be relied on with the starter now sidelined. The Commanders also recently re-signed Austin Ekeler, who’s seen time in 23 offensive snaps across two appearances.
Washington will immediately be replacing JCM with another RB, as the team announced that they activated Jeremy McNichols from injured reserve. The veteran back landed on IR before the season with a quad injury. The team also activated 2025 second-round CB Trey Amos, who started eight of 10 games as a rookie, and LB Jordan Magee, who started eight of his 17 appearances last season.
The Commanders weren’t done making moves, as linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste also landed on injured reserve today. The former seventh-round pick suffered a pectoral injury that will sideline him for at least four games. The organization also released LB Austin Keys and elevated LB T.J. Maguranyanga from the practice squad.
