Rachaad White (shoulder) back at practice on Wed.

He didn’t practice at any point this week after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 3. He has to be considered questionable for Week 5 at this point. ‘Bill’ Croskey-Merritt figures to shoulder the majority of the workload for the Commanders this week and is a reasonable FLEX play against the Colts. Freshly-signed Austin Ekeler figures to handle third-down work.

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.

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.

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.

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.

White’s 15 routes run were one more than Jacory Croskey-Merritt in this one, but White was clearly the preferred back to have on the field in third-down situations. White was on the field for 14 of the Commanders’ 15 third downs on Sunday, while Croskey-Merritt failed to see a snap in third-down situations. The Commanders struggled to generate anything offensively against one of the league’s top defenses until the fourth quarter, when they managed to find the end zone twice. White will be hard to trust in Week 2’s game against the Cowboys, but fantasy managers can continue to stash him and wait to see if things improve against a Cowboys defense that was among the league’s worst last season.

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.

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.