Through five weeks, one of the league’s most effective rookies has been Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt — who may be better known by the simple nickname, “Bill.”

A seventh-round pick in this year’s draft, Croskey-Merritt was good enough in the offseason program, training camp, and preseason that Washington felt comfortable trading Brian Robinson to the 49ers in August. But Washington has continued to see his growth and development, giving Croskey-Merritt his first start in Week 5 against the Chargers.

Croskey-Merritt made that decision pay off with 111 yards rushing on 14 carries with two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 39 yards.

Related players: Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols

Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters in his Monday press conference that the Commanders elected to lean into aspects of their scheme in which Croskey-Merritt excelled, and the young running back had a strong week of practice, the story said. The story added though he’s had limited carries in the first five weeks, Croskey-Merritt leads the league with 6.6 yards per carry. He’s tallied 283 yards rushing with four touchdowns and caught five passes for 54 yards. "Bill" is probably a familiar names to those in dynasty leagues as our friends at Dynasty League Football suggested to take him later in dynasty drafts this spring. But now he's officially a useful option in redraft leagues as well. Rodriguez had just five carries and McNichols had two touches, so his outlook going forward is strong.

Christian McCaffrey seemed unbothered by the calf issue that crept up Thursday, and he did not appear on Shanahan’s Monday afternoon injury report.

Related players: Brian Robinson

The story went on to say that despite CMC's 31 touches, the 49ers at least made an effort to give him more breaks than normal. He played 76% of the offensive snaps. By comparison, he played 85% of the snaps in the 2023 opener in Pittsburgh, and that was a blowout win, the story went on to say. Robinson carried nine times for 33 yards. With all the injuries piling up, it's easy to see CMC continuing this pace, especially if he really did escape from Week 1 healthy.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) is officially questionable for Sunday's opener against Seattle.

What's Kyle Shanahan's level of concern about Sunday? "Questionable concern. I'm not going to say anything about Christian, guys." Says it happened yesterday.

Related Players: Brian Robinson

This is quite ominous considering how last season went, but a lot of people are reporting this is more cautious than a serious injury. We should still consider McCaffrey a fantasy RB1 if he's on the field, with Robinson closer to the RB4 range.

49ers are listing RB Christian McCaffrey as limited at today’s practice due to a calf issue.

Related Players: Brian Robinson, Isaac Guerendo

It feels like we should panic, but players are limited in practice all the time (right?). We'll keep an eye on things but Robinson should be in our queues to plug in as an RB2 in case CMC is sidelined.

Kyle Shanahan was firm about Brian Robinson's expected role after San Francisco sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Washington Commanders for him last week.

"We brought him here to be our [No.] 2 back," Shanahan said. "I've always been a big fan of Brian. Loved him coming out of college. ... We were pumped that he was available and pumped that we were able to get him."

In 2024, Robinson was third in the league on a third or fourth down of 3 or fewer yards (7.8 yards per carry), though the sample size was just 14 attempts.
Christian McCaffrey will remain the focal point of San Francisco's running game, but Robinson provides an experienced backup who could offer some value in short-yardage situations.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo

The story said the 49ers were 18th in the league in short-yardage situations, averaging 3.2 yards per rush. The story went on to say Guerendo has struggled to stay healthy. Though he just got back from a shoulder injury, he had a pair of fumbles in a recent practice and is more likely to have an early-season spot on various special teams units.

Trade: Commanders are trading RB Brian Robinson to the 49ers in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, sources tell ESPN.

Related Players: Austin Ekeler, Jacory Crosky-Merritt, Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo

This is awful news for Guerendo drafters, but with all the injuries to the 49ers' running back room, they needed a dependable body in the room. This dings McCaffrey a little bit, but his passing-game involvement should be enough to secure another top-10 (or higher finish), while Robinson will pick up most of the slack and deliver as a FLEX play in tough weeks.

Back in Washington, Crosky-Merritt should be boosted out of low-end RB4 territory into an RB3 while Ekeler has some sneaky upside to finish in the same range.

From The Insiders on NFL Network: The Commanders will likely move on from RB Brian Robinson Jr., a rare starting RB available.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

This isn't really a surprise, but there was some talk that made it seem like the door may still be open for Robinson to stay when the news first broke. But that no longer appears to be the case. It seems, according to Rapoport, the team just doesn't want to extend Robinson, and nothing necessarily happened between the two sides. Rapoport said the Commanders could eat some salary to get a better draft pick in return. The Commanders will likely turn the RB duties over to Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt, McNichols and Rodriguez.

Veteran Austin Ekeler remains a key piece of the offense and special teams as Washington’s lead kick returner.

Related players: Chris Rodriguez, Jeremy McNichols, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Brian Robinson

The Commanders RB room has been a hot topic this week and it's only Tuesday. Robinson was held out of Monday night's preseason game amid trade rumors. The story discussed how an AFC GM said the team made Robinson available last year already. Rodriguez had a big run in the Monday night game and rookie sensation Croskey-Merritt had a long TD run as well. The story called McNichols the team's best blocking back. The story didn't mention how much of a role Ekeler would have in the offense, but needless to say it's a crowded RB room right now, with all four of those backs expected to make the team. If the Commanders do trade Robinson, this situation will need to sort itself out. But right now, Rodriguez and JCM are popular pickups in leagues that already had their drafts.

Jeremy McNichols re-signed in the offseason on a one-year deal, giving offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury another versatile option who is also the team’s best blocking back. (His blitz pickups last season warranted more headlines.)

Amid speculation about his future with the Commanders, RB Brian Robinson Jr. will not play tonight against the Bengals, sources say.

Related players: Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

The post went on to say it’s a mutual decision between Robinson and the team, as a trade before the cut to the 53-man roster remains a possibility. This situation seems to be escalating quickly. Those in dynasty leagues are likely no stranger to Crosky-Merritt, whose stock seems to be skyrocketing. If Robinson is dealt, Croskey-Merritt could find himself as the team's RB1 with Ekeler and McNichols perhaps the change of pace options. Rodriguez would also be an option to get early down work. However, Crosky-Meritt has been a sneaky-good prospect for a while now so he's a name to keep an eye on.

The Commanders have been shopping running back Brian Robinson Jr. to teams around the NFL.

Robinson is entering the final year of his contract and the Commanders have been enamored with 7th-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Chris Rodriguez is also still in the mix. Those two are combining to start making Robinson expendable. Robinson will likely fetch a late-round pick.