Chris Rodriguez Jr. - Page 6 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Joins active roster The Commanders elevated Rodriguez to their active roster Saturday.

Impact Rodriguez's elevation ensures depth at running back with Austin Ekeler (concussion) already ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals. Expect the second-year pro to play behind both Brian Robinson and Jeremy McNichols in Week 4.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sticks around on practice squad The Commanders signed Rodriguez to the practice squad Wednesday.

Impact The 2023 sixth-round pick appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Commanders in his rookie year, and over the last five games, Rodriguez turned 37 carries into 186 yards and two touchdowns while adding two catches for 12 yards. Despite that production, Rodriguez lost out to Jeremy McNichols for the No. 3 running back job behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. Rodriguez will stick around with Washington on the practice squad, and he should be elevated to the active roster if Robinson, Ekeler or McNichols were unable to play.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Washington The Commanders waived Rodriguez on Tuesday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Impact A 2023 sixth-round pick, Rodriguez earned a role off the bench late last season and averaged 7.4 carries for 37.2 yards over a five-game stretch Weeks 11-16 before an ankle injury brought his rookie campaign to an early end. He came back healthy this spring/summer, but the new coaching staff in Washington seemed to prefer 28-year-old Jeremy McNichols for the No. 3 RB role behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. It won't be surprising if a team in need of a power runner claims the 224-pound Rodriguez off waivers.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by Washington The Commanders waived Rodriguez on Tuesday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Impact A 2023 sixth-round pick, Rodriguez saw a bigger role late last season and averaged 7.4 carries for 37.2 yards over a five-game stretch Weeks 11-16 before an ankle injury brought his rookie campaign to an early end. He came back healthy this spring, but the new coaching staff in Washington seemed to prefer 28-year-old Jeremy McNichols for the No. 3 RB role behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. It won't be surprising if a team in need of a power runner claims the 224-pound Rodriguez off waivers.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Plays after McNichols Rodriguez rushed the ball one time for one yard in Sunday's 20-10 preseason win over the Patriots. He added four receptions on five targets for 39 yards.

Impact Rodriguez looked to be battling Jeremy McNichols for the third running back job throughout preseason and training camp, and the conclusion may not be in Rodriguez's favor. He was the second back on the field behind McNichols with both Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson resting, and he played into the second half. Rodriguez's ability to chip in on special teams may save his roster spot, but he isn't likely to see the field much with the offense early in the regular season.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Splits time with McNichols Rodriguez took six carries for no gain and saw one incomplete target during Saturday's 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets.

Impact It wasn't an ideal start to the preseason for Rodriguez, and not just because of the unfortunate stat line. He rotated with Jeremy McNichols once Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler were pulled from the game after the opening drive, hinting at a competition between Rodriguez and McNichols for the No. 3 job. Granted, it might not be an especially important distinction, with Rodriguez profiling as a possible replacement for Robinson and McNichols a more natural fit to fill in for Ekeler's role. Landing on the practice squad or gameday inactive list for Week 1 wouldn't necessarily preclude Rodriguez from taking on a significant role in the event of a Robinson injury.

AUGUST 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

BREAKING: Rookie RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. to IR; OUT for Season Chris Rodriguez Jr. is heading to injured reserve, ending his rookie season with the Washington Commanders.

DECEMBER 28, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Not practicing Rodriguez (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact Rodriguez ran for 57 yards and two TDs in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, making the most of Brian Robinson's absence due to a hamstring injury but then ultimately suffering an injury of his own. The rookie wore a walking boot after the game and was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday, making his absence from practice Wednesday the furthest thing from a surprise. Robinson. meanwhile, returned to practice as a limited participant, potentially setting the stage for him to rejoin Antonio Gibson in the backfield as QB Jacoby Brissett prepares for his first start of the season.

DECEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hail or Fail: Commanders lose with pride after Christmas Eve comeback Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jacoby Brissett shined in Washington’s sixth straight loss.

DECEMBER 25, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Can't-Miss Play: Chris Rodriguez Jr. pile-drives for DAYS on 12-yard TD Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. pile-drives for DAYS on 12-yard TD.

DECEMBER 24, 2023 • NFL.COM

Helps fill in for injured Robinson Rodriguez took seven carries for 29 yards in a 45-15 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Impact Rodriguez played a career-high 22 percent of Washington's snaps on offense, getting some extra work due to Brian Robinson missing the second half with a hamstring injury. It still didn't amount to much until garbage time -- he got four of his carries on Washington's final four snaps -- but there will be an opportunity for role expansion ahead if Robinson isn't ready after a Week 14 bye. The Commanders have a road game against the Rams in Week 15, and they might give Rodriguez more of a look down the stretch even if Robinson ends up being fine to play post-bye.

DECEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leading rusher in Sunday's loss Rodriguez carried the ball seven times for 31 yards in Sunday's 14-7 loss to the Giants.

Impact The Commanders' offense was stagnant for most of the day, so the rookie running back got a chance to add a spark in the second half. Rodriguez wound up leading the team in rushing, but his longest gain went for only nine yards. Despite his modest success, his spot on the depth chart behind Robinson and Antonio Gibson doesn't appear likely to change in Week 8 against a tough Eagles run defense.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes four carries Rodriguez took four carries for 23 yards in Sunday's 24-16 win over the Falcons.

Impact After missing the previous two games with an illness, Rodriguez returned and made his largest contribution of the year. Brian Robinson doesn't look to be in imminent danger of losing the starting job, but Rodriguez is at least worth tracking in deeper leagues given that neither Robinson nor Antonio Gibson has done much on the ground this year. The Commanders face the Giants in Week 7.

OCTOBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Rodriguez makes NFL preseason debut vs. Browns Kentucky's No. 3 all-time rusher was selected by the Commanders in the sixth round.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • 247SPORTS.COM

After tragedy, Commanders rookie RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. plays for his mom The Commanders picked Rodriguez in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, just a few months after his mom died of complications from lupus.

JUNE 29, 2023 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Commanders Coach Ron Rivera Impressed By Rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. Rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has impressed Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera this offseason.

JUNE 5, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Commanders Coach Eric Bieniemy 'Really Liked' Rookie RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. The Commanders drafted Chris Rodriguez Jr. to complement Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson with Ron Rivera liking the running back room...

MAY 15, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

MAY 15, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

MAY 15, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Commanders Rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. Motivated by Late Mother: 'She's Proud of Me' Stephanie Thornton, the mom of Washington Commanders rookie running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., passed away in 2022 after battling Lupus.

MAY 14, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. Already Familiar with Teammate Antonio Gibson Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Antonio Gibson went to high school in the same city. Now, the two are teammates playing for the Washington Commander...

MAY 13, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. Reunites With LB Jamin Davis: 'My Boy!' The Washington Commanders selected Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but his ties to the t...

MAY 12, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Eric Bieniemy 'Very High' on Commanders Rookie RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. The Washington Commanders feel they got an NFL Draft steal in Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.

MAY 4, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Commanders Bruising New RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. 'I'm Ready to go Get it!' The Washington Commanders added to their running back room, taking Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez Jr., and he is ready to get down to work with...

APRIL 30, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

APRIL 30, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

CHRIS RODRIGUEZ JR. NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES