Commanders Place Leading Rusher Jacory Croskey-Merritt on Injured Reserve

The Washington Commanders have confirmed a significant blow to their backfield, placing starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve. The move, necessitated by a recurring groin injury, ensures that the team's leading rusher will be sidelined for a minimum of four games.

Croskey-Merritt aggravated the injury during the Commanders' Week 5 tie against the New York Giants. The issue first surfaced during training camp, forcing him to miss the final two games of the preseason. Despite the setback, he has been a focal point of the Washington offense this season, accumulating 239 rushing yards and two touchdowns. This follows a productive 2025 rookie campaign where he led the team with 805 rushing yards, though his efficiency has dipped from an average of 4.6 yards per carry last year to 3.6 yards this season.

Defensively, the Commanders received a boost with the activation of cornerback Trey Amos. A standout rookie in 2025 who started nine games, Amos had been working his way back from a fractured left fibula sustained late last season. After being placed on the physically unable to perform list due to soft tissue soreness and subsequently dealing with an ankle injury during his first practice this summer, he is now available for the upcoming contest against the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, the team placed backup outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, while activating backup inside linebacker Jordan Magee from IR to provide depth for the special teams unit.