The Commanders selected Rodriguez in the sixth round of the NFL Draft from Kentucky, and he will be a reserve if he makes the team. He's not worth drafting in most redraft leagues, and he's only worth a late-round flier in rookie-only drafts for Dynasty formats. Washington has Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson ahead of Rodriguez on the depth chart, and he would likely need an injury to get playing time. At Kentucky, Rodriguez had 175 carries for 904 yards and six touchdowns in eight games in 2022, and he had 225 carries for 1,378 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games in 2021. If he does get the chance for consistent playing time, you can add Rodriguez off the waiver wire during the season.
Rodriguez had six carries for 43 yards and one catch for five yards but lost a fumble on his seventh and final touch of the day.
A lost fumble at the end of the third quarter spoiled what previously had been the best day of Rodriguez's young career. Taking on an expanded role with Antonio Gibson (toe) inactive for the first time this season, the rookie recorded his first NFL reception and had a personal best of 43 rushing yards. Rodriguez did play three of 25 snaps in the final quarter -- rather than being outright benched -- with Robinson taking 21 and Derrick Gore only one. It's possible Rodriguez remains in the No. 2 role Thursday against Dallas, but only if Gibson misses another game.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez Jr.: Week 8 Waiver Priority List
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Rodriguez is still behind Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson on the depth chart, but his role has increased in each of the past two games. The Commanders are giving Rodriguez a chance at playing time, and he led the team in rushing in Week 7 at the Giants with seven carries for 31 yards. In deeper leagues, you might want to stash Rodriguez to see what happens over the next few weeks for 1 percent of your FAB.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Takes four carries
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Rodriguez took four carries for 23 yards in Sunday's 24-16 win over the Falcons.
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.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Off injury report
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Rodriguez (illness) was not listed on Washington's injury report Wednesday.
Rodriguez missed Washington's past two games with an illness, but it now looks like he should be good to go for Week 6. Through three games this season, he's seen just three carries for seven yards.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Won't play Thursday night
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The Commanders downgraded Rodriguez (illness) from questionable to out ahead of Thursday's game against the Bears.
Washington listed Rodriguez as a limited practice participant throughout the week while he battled the illness, and the rookie out of Kentucky ultimately didn't make enough progress as the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff approached for the team to feel comfortable activating him for Thursday. The Commanders elevated Derrick Gore from the practice squad and could make him active for Thursday's contest as a third option out of the backfield behind Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Still limited at practice
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Rodriguez (illness) was a limited participant at practice Tuesday.
His presence at practice at all is a good sign for Rodriguez after he was too sick to play in Week 4 at Philadelphia, but his status for Thursday's game versus Chicago still looks to be up in the air. He'll probably need to practice in full Wednesday to avoid carrying an injury designation into gameday.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Back at practice
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Rodriguez (illness) was spotted practicing Tuesday, Sam Fortier of The Washington Post reports.
The rookie running back out of Kentucky missed the Commanders' Week 4 loss to Philadelphia with an illness, but it seems as if he's had enough time to move past the issue. Rodriguez recorded seven yards on three carries throughout his first three games, primarily playing on Washington's special teams unit.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Limited in practice
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Rodriguez (illness) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice report.
Rodriguez is still battling an illness that kept him out Sunday's loss to the Eagles and will look to be ready for the Commanders' game against the Bears on Thursday. If the rookie sixth-rounder is good to go, he still likely won't see a lot of playing time behind Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Limited by illness Wednesday
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Rodriguez (illness) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Selected 193rd overall in this year's NFL Draft, Rodriguez has played six offensive snaps through his first three games, seeing another 54 snaps on special teams. He's rushed three times for seven scoreless yards. Derrick Gore is on the Commanders' practice squad should Rodriguez not be able to play in Week 4.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Gets three carries in debut
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Rodriguez took three carries for seven yards in Sunday's 20-16 win over Arizona.
The rookie sixth-round pick got a carry on each of his three snaps, working as a distant No. 3 back in terms of playing time but finishing with only one fewer touch than Antonio Gibson, who lost a fumble early and managed only 19 total yards. Starter Brian Robinson also didn't have a great day, averaging 3.1 YPC on his 19 carries, albeit with a receiving TD and the silver lining of a 61 percent snap share. Rodriguez isn't likely to see much work in Week 2 at Denver but should be kept in mind for the future in case Robinson and Gibson don't stay healthy or productive.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Gets spot on roster
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Rodriguez has a spot on Washington's initial 53-man roster, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The sixth-round rookie out of Kentucky is one of three running backs, behind Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson. While he can't match Gibson's speed and receiving skills, the 224-pound Rodriguez might be able to do a reasonable impression of Robinson in the trenches if tasked with filling in for him this year. Rodriguez had seven carries for 52 yards in Washington's final preseason game to lock down a roster spot ahead of Jonathan Williams (undisclosed) and Jaret Patterson.
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Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Adding power to D.C. backfield
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The Commanders selected Rodriguez in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 193rd overall.
A six-foot, 217-pound running back, Rodriguez profiles as a short-yardage bruiser. He filled that role well with Kentucky, as he piled up 32 total touchdowns in four seasons. Rodriguez possesses a similar profile to that of Brian Robinson, so it's not immediately apparent what role he'll occupy for the Commanders.
