Washington's Week 1 rookie breakout by Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Bill) injected a spark into Washington's backfield. He piled up 82 rushing yards on 10 carries, reached the end zone once, and ripped a 42-yard run to spearhead a fresh-look ground game after the Commanders traded Brian Robinson Jr. before 2025. Croskey-Merritt operated as the lead rusher in Week 1, signaling a real chance to seize the carries crown in a wide-open committee.

The backfield features Ekeler as the primary back and top receiving option, with McNichols and Rodriguez in the mix. Croskey-Merritt’s hot start raises questions about workload and role continuity, especially if Washington leans further into a run-first script. His nickname Bill came from a childhood bald head, a quirky detail broadcasters are already embracing as the rookie cements a promising start.