Commanders activate Jeremy McNichols off IR

McNichols is believed to have suffered a severe foot injury in Sunday night’s win over the Eagles. While he is still seeking additional opinions, it was reported on Monday that he is expected to miss multiple months, which could mean this is a season-ender. McNichols has spent the last three seasons with the Commanders, contributing primarily on special teams while also mixing in for an occasional offensive play.

McNichols’ injury is believed to be “significant,” according to Schefter. The 30-year-old journeyman was recently activated from injured reserve after missing the first five weeks of the season with a quad injury and could now be looking at another extended absence. He has rushed 10 times for 34 scoreless yards this season and has been a reliable role player and special teams contributor for the Commanders since joining the team in 2024.

Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) are both ailing, though the latter player sat out entirely. Rachaad White (shoulder) and Jeremy McNichols (quad) are both practicing in full. Croskey-Merritt is the only fantasy-relevant Commanders running back at this time, assuming he is good to go on Monday night.

McNichols will start the season sidelined with a linger quad injury he suffered in mid-August. Used primarily as a pass-catching back, McNichols could see playing time later this season if Rachaad White or Jacory Croskey-Merritt miss any time. He will miss at least the first four games of the season and should remain on waivers.

McNichols probably is no higher than fourth on the depth chart in Washington behind ‘Bill,’ Rachaad White, and Kaytron Allen. Missing time due to injury doesn’t bode well for him making the initial 53-man roster.

This is the second straight practice McNichols has missed with the quad issue. He’s slated to function as Washington’s No. 3 back behind some combination of Rachaad White and Jacory Croskey-Merritt this season. McNichols was efficient in 2025, averaging five yards per carry on 44 rushes in Washington.

Whether Croskey-Merritt can participate in the Commanders’ three-day mandatory minicamp, from June 16-18, is unknown. That said, Standig believes RB coach Anthony Lynn’s “positivity is notable.” Lynn thinks the team can take Croskey-Merritt’s game “to another level and get him potentially in the lead role.” To do this, Croskey-Merritt must take on more responsibility in the passing game this summer. Lynn adds that the young back’s “hands are very good, his movement skills are very good, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t win routes.” The staff is happy with its new-look backfield, but Standing writes that RBs Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols and Jerome Ford “are not high-volume playmaking threats,” like “Bill” is, and rookie RB Allen is still getting up to speed. Once Croskey-Merritt arrives, he must prove that he can meaningfully contribute as a receiver and as a pass protector. Doing so would unlock a fantasy-friendly role.

McNichols is the third running back to sign with Washington in recent days. The 30-year-old vet has been used sparingly over the last two seasons with the Commanders, but has totaled 705 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns on 133 touches. McNichols would likely have a camp battle with Jerome Ford to play on passing downs on the current depth chart, meaning he could be in some risk of starting off the year on the practice squad. But after playing 34 games with the Commanders the last two years, we think it’s clear the current administration thinks highly of him.

McNichols spent the season as the Commanders’ pass-catching back after Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles at the beginning of the season. He broke several tackles on a Beast Mode-esque 60-yard touchdown run in Week 3; that run was his only rushing touchdown and accounted for 27 percent of his rushing yards for the season. McNichols totaled 44 carries for 221 yards and a touchdown on the ground but often saw more passing-down snaps than rushing snaps, adding 25 receptions for 196 yards through the air. He will be a free agent heading into the offseason and could find a home as a pass-catching depth piece for a team’s backfield.

He wasn’t targeted in the passing game. With Chris Rodriguez unavailable due to a grain injury, Croskey-Merritt was the bellcow for the Commanders. He outrushed Jeremy McNichols by 91 yards (nine attempts for five yards) and McNichols also lost a fumble. The rookie tailback reached 90 yards for the first time since Week 5, and it seems likely he’ll see a similar amount of touches in Week 16 against the Eagles if Rodriguez can’t get healthy for that matchup.