JCM getting more pass-catching work

Croskey-Merritt was a limited participant in practice all week but is good to go for Sunday’s opener against the Eagles. “Bill” is expected to handle the majority of the backfield rush attempts on Sunday, but how he factors into the passing game will be worth monitoring. The second-year back has reportedly worked to improve in the passing game this year and could turn into a decent three-down contributor if the Commanders trust him enough in passing-down situations. Until we see how his usage unfolds, Croskey-Merritt shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than an RB3/FLEX option against the Eagles.

The Commanders’ starting running back is on track to play, but it would be nice to see him practice fully tomorrow. If he is unable to do so, he might end up sharing more touches than he normally would with receiving RB Rachaad White. Croskey-Merritt supposedly refined his passing game skill set this summer, potentially raising his fantasy-scoring ceiling. Stay tuned.

White’s hamstring strain is officially behind him. The veteran running back is expected to assume passing down duties with his new team, though starting RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) has reportedly been improving his receiving skills this summer. If Croskey-Merritt can play this weekend, White will only be a mild FLEX play in PPR formats.

Getting in a limited session to begin the week puts Croskey-Merritt on track to start in Week 1 against the Eagles. The second-year running back has reportedly improved his passing game chops, but RB Rachaad White will likely be the team’s primary receiving back to begin the year. If Croskey-Merritt can siphon away receiving snaps, it will make him less reliant on positive game scripts. For now, if active, he is a borderline RB2/3.

He missed about a week with the ailment, and reporters discovered that the “lower body injury” was a groin injury. We wouldn’t be surprised if he were limited a bit over the next two weeks, but if he’s practicing he’s certainly likely to play in Week 1.

We reported that Croskey-Merritt was limited in Monday’s practice yesterday but didn’t have a specific injury. Now we have a vague injury area. By Wednesday, we may even know which leg it’s on. We’re not overly concerned about Croskey-Merritt’s Week 1 prospects just yet — he did participate a little in yesterday’s practice — but it’s something to monitor ahead of the opening slate.

According to Commanders beat writer Ben Standig, Croskey-Merritt reporters saw him “pull up at the end of a catch-and-run in Thursday’s practice.” The fact that he’s still working in a limited capacity suggests this isn’t anything to be too worried about at this time, but “Bill” is the latest of several Commanders players to already be dealing with injuries in camp. Washington has been without Rachaad White (hamstring) since the team’s joint practice with the Dolphins, leaving unproven rookies Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry, and veteran Craig Reynolds as the only healthy backs in camp.

White is still sidelined with a hamstring injury that he tweaked during joint practices with the Dolphins ahead of the Commanders’ first preseason game. White’s injury isn’t thought to be anything too serious, but the team is unlikely to rush him back with just under three weeks to go until they need to begin planning for Week 1 against the Eagles. White is expected to serve in a passing-down role for the Commanders this season after being signed to a one-year deal earlier in the offseason, and he has reportedly had a strong camp. It’s hard to know how much standalone value he’ll have during the early part of the season, but a reliable role could make him a viable FLEX option in half- and full-PPR leagues.

Now we know why the Commanders’ receiving back has been absent at practice recently. White reportedly tweaked a hamstring during joint practices with the Dolphins last week. He worked out prior to Friday’s preseason game, but did not play. Garafolo adds that White has “excelled” in new OC David Blough’s offense during OTAs and training camp, though starting RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt has notably been praised for his pass-catching improvements recently.

ESPN’s John Keim expects to hear an update on White tomorrow morning. Backup RB Jeremy McNichols is dealing with a quad injury and RB Jerome Ford (hamstring) was recently placed on injured reserve. As things currently stand, starting RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, rookie RBs Kaytron Allen and Robert Henry, and veteran RB Craig Reynolds are the four healthy players. Croskey-Merritt’s reported passing game improvements have come at the right time. Allen played well on a sizable preseason Week 1 workload. He might be in line for RB2 duties if White were to miss time.