Rachaad White (shoulder) officially ruled out

With two DNPs to start the week, White looks unlikely to suit up for Week 4 against the Colts. Austin Ekeler traveled with the team after signing with the team earlier this week, so he could ultimately take on White’s role. Backup running back Kayton Allen could also see more work, but Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains the clear lead back in Washington for now. He is on the RB2/3 border for Week 4.

It sounds like White will be a question mark headed into Washington’s Week 4 game against the Colts in London. Quinn added that it’s too early to tell whether Austin Ekeler, who signed with the Commanders this week, will be active for Week 4. Jacory Croskey-Merritt could see a significant bump in carries and pass routes — and maybe targets — if White is sidelined this week. JCM, who has 58 percent of the team’s carries through three games, would be a nice flex option in that case.

Ekeler is fully recovered from a torn Achilles that ended his 2025 season after just two games. The 31-year-old running back returns to a familiar place in Washington and will sign to the 53-man roster, making him immediately eligible to play in Week 4. We expect him to have a bit of a ramp-up period before being active on game days, but Ekeler could end up having a meaningful role in a backfield that has struggled to get going through the first three weeks. Ekeler may be worth a stash in deeper leagues, but we’ll have to see what kind of role he has before we can consider putting him in lineups. Ekeler met last week with the Panthers about possibly joining their practice squad but a deal was never reached.

White left near the end of the second quarter with a shoulder issue, but he was able to return. He was more effective than Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but considering Croskey-Merritt averaged 1.9 yards per carry, that’s not saying a lot. White has looked like the better tailback thus far, but this Commanders’ offense is one to just stay away from right now. White will be back in action in London in Week 4 against the Colts.

Croskey-Merritt had a long touchdown run wiped off the board because of an illegal formation. Outside of that, it was a struggle for the 25-year-old against the stout Seattle run defense. The long gain (that counted) was just nine yards. Croskey-Merritt has not found much room to run thus far, and it’s hard to trust him right now. His next chance to find said room comes in Week 4 against the Colts in London.

Ekeler worked out for the Panthers today. Kaye noted that the workout went well, so it’s possible Ekeler lands with the team in the future. With Jonathon Brooks (groin) on injured reserve, the Panthers need to make an addition or two at running back, even just for some extra depth. Regardless of who they sign, Chuba Hubbard is set for a workhorse role for the foreseeable future.

Carolina is in need of some backfield reinforcements after losing Jonathon Brooks to a core injury that will leave him sidelined for at least six weeks. AJ Dillon is set to fill in for Brooks while Chub Hubbard presumably continues as the team’s lead back. Ekeler, 31, who hasn’t played since injuring his Achilles last September, could be an emergency running back if Hubbard or Dillon go down with injuries in the coming weeks. First he’ll need to make the squad.

White out-snapped Jacory Croskey-Merritt 36 to 23 on Sunday and continues to play well ahead of him on third downs. White broke off a 14-yard run in the second quarter on a drive that helped set up a four-yard touchdown by Stefon Diggs, and hauled in multiple passes throughout the day with his team trailing the whole way. This performance is what we expected to see from White when the Commanders signed him to a one-year deal earlier this offseason. It’s too early to say we can confidently start him in Week 3 against the Seahawks, but he’s a worthy dart throw in deeper leagues as an RB4/FLEX if needed.

Croskey-Merritt continues to lead the Commanders’ backfield in rush attempts, but he looked like the less explosive back in this one, averaging just 3.6 YPC with his longest gain coming on a nine-yard carry. He hauled in his lone target on the day for a five-yard gain, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Rachaad White got more involved in the offense after totaling 83 yards from scrimmage on his 13 touches. Even if he does operate as the lead back next week, Croskey-Merritt will be hard to trust against a physical Seahawks defense.

Allen practiced in full all week, so there are no concerns about his current status. Last week, starting RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt fumbled late in the game and was yanked for the final eight plays. Last Man Standig’s Ben Standig notes, Allen “handled the final three handoffs, and Rachaad White was a potential safety valve” for the Commanders’ two-point attempt. Allen is worth stashing on benches in 12-team leagues.