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The Washington Commanders' running back dynamic is something to watch throughout the summer. Players have staked an early claim over the team's offseason program. Clues are starting to emerge, but everything should become clearer when training camp rolls around.
One NFL analyst believes the initial impact made by an unheralded rookie places a veteran firmly on the hot seat.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt might be a seventh-round selection, but he's not acting like it. He's got big ambitions to impact the rotation immediately. The decisive cuts, overall speed, and strong mentality have come with rave reviews. There's a long way to go, but the signs are extremely promising nonetheless.
That's good news for the Commanders. However, there will be some collateral damage along the way.
Jeremy McNichols faces a fight to retain Commanders' roster spot in 2025
This was a subject discussed by Douglas Fritz from Clutch Points. He named Jeremy McNichols as a player who could be on the chopping block this offseason. This becomes more glaring if Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. demonstrate the improvements needed to take his place.
[Jeremy] McNichols’ age is an issue. He’s a seven-year veteran who has played for five teams. His 55 carries in 2024 set a career high, as did his 261 yards and four touchdowns. With Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler locking down nearly all of the touches, McNichols finds himself in a battle not only with [Jacory] Croskey-Merritt, but also Chris Rodriguez Jr. It’s going to be a tough push for McNichols to earn an eighth NFL season, unless his hooks on with another team if the Commanders decide to go another direction.Douglas Fritz
McNichols was solid if not spectacular when called upon last season. Most thought he wouldn't get extended, but the Commanders rewarded him with another one-year deal instead to prevent him from leaving in free agency.
That was a vote of confidence, albeit with no guarantees attached. McNichols must prove himself all over again with two ambitious youngsters breathing down his neck. If the Commanders only take three running backs onto the 53-man roster, that makes it even more difficult.
The Commanders aren't going to give up on Croskey-Merritt before he's played a competitive snap, especially if he keeps stacking good days at training camp and whatever involvement comes his way in the preseason. If Washington opts for four running backs, which seems unlikely given the presence of versatile weapon Deebo Samuel Sr., it will be a straight fight between McNichols and Rodriguez for the job.
McNichols isn't going to give up his spot without a fight. But to say his situation is precarious would be an understatement.
More Commanders news and analysis
More must-reads:
- Chargers suffer tremendous blow with OL Joe Alt out for season
- Ravens acquire edge-rusher to further bolster attempted second-half surge
- The 'NFL Passing YPG leaders' quiz
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Green Bay Packers Make Roster Change After Loss to Panthers
The Green Bay Packers are reeling after losing their dynamic tight end, Tucker Kraft, to an injury that will sideline him for the rest of the 2025 season. This devastating setback occurred during the team’s narrow 16-13 defeat to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Kraft, age 25, was injured midway through the third quarter while engaged in a routine blocking assignment. The severity became evident immediately as he required a cart to leave the field, signaling a serious issue for the promising player. With Kraft officially ruled out for the year, the Packers face a significant void in their offensive lineup. Team officials confirmed the news on Monday, prompting swift action to manage the roster implications. Prior to the injury, Kraft was enjoying a stellar third season with Green Bay. The ex-South Dakota State standout had amassed 32 receptions, 489 receiving yards, and six touchdowns across eight contests.His momentum was building, highlighted by a standout showing in Week 8. Kraft played a pivotal role in the Packers’ 35-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, hauling in seven passes for 143 yards and two scores. To accommodate Kraft’s placement on injured reserve, a roster spot has opened up. This development allows general manager Brian Gutekunst and the front office to explore options for a new tight end, should they deem it necessary. In the immediate aftermath, Green Bay opted for a different adjustment. On Monday, the organization revealed the release of linebacker Kristian Welch through an official statement on their website. Welch, a former Iowa Hawkeye, had been part of the practice squad all season. He earned a promotion to the active roster for the Panthers game, marking his 2025 debut, only to be cut shortly after. No further transactions tied to Welch’s departure have been disclosed yet. The Packers continue to evaluate their depth chart amid these changes. Looking ahead, Green Bay stands at 5-2-1 following the recent loss. They aim to rebound in a high-stakes Monday Night Football clash on November 10 against the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles, kicking off at 8:15 p.m. ET from the iconic Lambeau Field. This primetime showdown offers the Packers a chance to regroup without Kraft. Fans will watch closely as the team adapts to the absence of their breakout star in a crucial divisional push.
Packers linked to trade for former All-Pro to replace Kenny Clark
The Packers could look to upgrade the defense ahead of the NFL trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, especially after Panthers running back Rico Dowdle paved the way to Carolina upsetting Green Bay Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field. Dowdle’s 130 yards and two touchdowns was the catalyst to an upset win over the Packers, but also served to further expose one of Green Bay’s most glaring weaknesses along the front seven. Could Packers trade for Calais Campbell? If general manager Brian Gutekunst is working the phones in hopes of replacing the run-stuffing interior lineman the Packers traded away in Kenny Clark as part of the Micah Parsons blockbuster this past summer, Calais Campbell could be an ideal fit. Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, Pro Football Focus lists the Packers as one of Campbell’s best fits and possible trade destinations. "Even at 39, Campbell has still been an above-average player for the Cardinals this season," Bradley Locker writes for PFF. "He’s on track for a 15th straight year with a 71.0-plus overall PFF grade, and has been a well-rounded addition for Arizona’s new-look defense. Campbell has generated 11 pressures while also producing a 70.0 PFF run-defense grade. "The Cardinals’ promising start has taken a wayward turn for the worst, one that doesn’t seem especially salvageable. With Campbell at his age and on a one-year deal, shipping him away — particularly to pave the way for playing time for younger players — could be logical. Kansas City’s 28.8 run-defense grade by interior defenders is the lowest in the NFL, and a reunion in Jacksonville isn’t out of the question." So far this season, Campbell — who boasts 113.5 sacks through 18 seasons — has three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. He is still playing at a high level despite his advanced age and the trajectory of the Cardinals’ 2025 campaign. Arizona’s season has quickly fallen off a cliff, but Campbell could have the chance to chase a Super Bowl ring if the Packers pull off a trade. He would immediately become a key piece along defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s front seven.
Maxx Crosby sends inspiring message after latest Raiders loss
The Las Vegas Raiders lost a tough game to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, but Pro Bowl pass-rusher Maxx Crosby is maintaining a positive attitude amid a difficult season. The Jaguars beat the Raiders 30-29 in a thrilling Week 9 overtime game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. The Raiders took the lead with just under 2 minutes remaining when star tight end Brock Bowers caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence then led a field goal drive to force OT. The two teams traded touchdowns in OT, with Jacksonville getting the ball first and scoring. Rather than kicking an extra point to tie the game with 16 seconds left in the extra period, Raiders head coach Pete Carroll went for a two-point conversion and the win. Smith’s pass to Tyler Lockett fell incomplete, sealing the win for Jacksonville. After the game, Crosby shared an uplifting message for fans via social media. “Raider Nation I Love Yall With Everything In My Heart Soul. Yall Deserve Better. Stay As One, It Will Change,” Crosby wrote on X. The Raiders fell to 2-6 with the loss. Their first season under Carroll has been a disappointment thus far, but Crosby wants everyone to know he is not discouraged. Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with the Raiders back in March. He is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and has 5 sacks in 8 games this season. There has been some talk of Crosby being traded ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline, but that is highly unlikely to happen. Crosby has reportedly told the team he does not want to go anywhere, and his message following Sunday’s loss is consistent with that.
Packers' rough roster situation somehow gets even worse after latest injury update comes out of nowhere
The Green Bay Packers are already thin at cornerback, and the situation will get worse over the next few weeks. According to Ryan Wood from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Nate Hobbs will miss at least two games with a sprained MCL — it's a grade 1 tear to the ligament. Wood mentions that the injury "is not to the same knee he had surgically repaired for a torn meniscus in training camp," which caused him to miss the regular season opener. Track record of injuries for Nate Hobbs Throughout his NFL career, Hobbs has handled multiple injuries — ankle, knee, concussion. Those forced him to miss 16 games over his final three years with the Las Vegas Raiders, and ultimately were the main reason why the team didn't re-sign him. Available in free agency, Nate Hobbs signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Packers with $16 million in guarantees. This is the second knee injury Hobbs suffers since joining Green Bay. The first one caused him to miss part of training camp, preseason, and the Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions. Now, he's set to miss more playing time. When available, Hobbs hasn't been effective either. So far this season, he's allowed a 123.7 passer rating when targeted, the worst number amongst Packers defensive backs. He was benched in favor of former seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine over the past two games. Even though he had primarily been a slot defender throughout his career, Hobbs has played more as a boundary corner for the Packers — 222 snaps outside and 38 in the slot. Thin at cornerback Without Nate Hobbs, a difficult situation at corner gets even more complicated. Beyond starters Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, the options are converted wide receiver Bo Melton and Kamal Hadden. Safety Javon Bullard is the starting slot. Green Bay also has Tyron Herring on the practice squad — and safety Johnathan Baldwin can play at corner as well. This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Green Bay, as "Packers' rough roster situation somehow gets even worse after latest injury update comes out of nowhere."
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