Cincinnati opened preseason on a high note, riding Joe Burrow’s efficiency and a flourishing connection with Charlie Jones as Cincinnati rolled to a 31-17 win over Washington. Burrow steered three possessions, completing 9 of 14 passes for 62 yards, including a 4-yard TD to Jones on his final throw. Chase Brown capped a 58-yard opening march with a 1-yard TD on fourth-and-goal. The Bengals used starters more, scoring TDs on four of five Burrow-led drives across two exhibition games, signaling a sharp start to the regular season grind for fantasy rosters.

Washington’s lone Daniels appearance flashed athleticism without passing, as the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year scampered for a 14-yard TD late in the first half while the Commanders protected him behind a thinned OL and wet field. Jacory Croskey-Merritt stood out as a training-camp darling with a 27-yard TD run late in the second quarter, and Chris Rodriguez piled up 62 rushing yards to boost his rotation odds. Washington leaned on its run game and chipped-in field goals, underscoring backfield uncertainty and potential late-round upside for fantasy drafters.

Notes stacked on both sides: Cincinnati’s Myles Murphy remains sidelined, Trey Hendrickson sat out, and the depth chart keeps shifting behind Burrow’s likely Week 1 workload. Washington cut into its own plans, with McLaurin absent amid a contract dispute and young backs like Croskey-Merritt showing promise. Mitchell Tinsley snagged two late first-half TDs for Cincinnati off Jake Browning’s throws, a reminder of how the depth chart can surprise in fantasy leagues. Up next, Cincinnati welcomes Indianapolis, while Washington closes its preseason against Baltimore.

Washington’s 31-17 preseason loss to Cincinnati highlighted more winners than losers for fantasy-minded Commanders enthusiasts. Deebo Samuel’s debut injected immediate veteran juice, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. flashed a decisive, vision-forward style that could elevate Washington’s backfield. Luke McCaffrey faced a tougher road, Jaylin Lane impressed as a developing option, and Sam Hartman’s bumpier night underscored the quarterback competition’s murkiness. Frankie Luvu generated pressure and showed versatility, while backs like Croskey-Merritt signaled how crowded the room could get if a Robinson trade unfolds before Week 1.

Rodriguez’s 40-yard burst set the tone, Samuel’s first carry added a spark, and Lane’s third-down receptions suggested a path for a mid-round rookie to carve a role. Hartman’s shoulder concerns and Hartman’s early rhythm created questions about the immediate floor for the passing game, but Washington still ran a compact, multiple-back offense that could surprise fantasy managers if the depth chart clears. The Commanders now host Baltimore on a short week, making the final tune-up critical for roster decisions and early-season projections.

In short, Rodriguez and Lane emerged as the clearest fantasy-friendly signals, while Hartman’s health and the receiver grouping offer the most room for volatility. Samuel’s arrival keeps the offense dynamic, but the path to weekly production depends on roster rigidity and how Washington uses its revamped depth across both backfield and pass-catching roles. As the roster crystallizes, savvy fantasy players should watch how the Week 3 reps translate to real-season opportunity.

Washington opened by stifling Bengals on Burrow’s drive but the Commanders answered quickly. In four plays, Jayden Daniels led a 71-yard march that ended with a 14-yard TD, tying the game in the blink of an eye. Daniels flashed mobility and poise, connecting with Deebo Samuel on a first touch that went for 19 yards as the offense jumped to life.

Behind them, Chris Rodriguez Jr. ripped a 40-yard burst that underscored depth at RB while Brian Robinson Jr. watched from the sideline inactive amid trade chatter. Seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt, nicknamed Bill, dashed 27 yards for a TD, signaling more competent RB competition and a potential early-season rotation in Washington’s backfield.

The Bengals struck first with a Burrow-led opening TD drive, but Washington’s burst-and-depth narrative dominated the night, offering fantasy managers a blueprint of multiple contested roles and a reminder that preseason snaps can highlight swappable pieces in a crowded backfield.

Washington's Brian Robinson Jr. faces an uncertain 2025 after trade chatter surrounding the 26-year-old initially thrust him into the spotlight ahead of the season. Washington's preseason absence fuels the narrative, with Robinson in a crowded backfield that features Austin Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez Jr., and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, plus Deebo Samuel in a potential backfield role. The spotlight shifts to three potential landing spots—Dallas, Kansas City, and Chicago—where Robinson could carve a path to meaningful touches if a deal is consummated and role clarity follows. Fantasy players should watch for how quickly a new team embeds him into committees, especially if he lands in a system that values his dual-threat ability as a runner and receiver.

In Dallas, Robinson would join a backfield starved for depth behind veteransettled pieces, potentially lifting his ceiling in a high-powered offense. Kansas City would pair him with Isiah Pacheco, offering a-formidable two-man mix with intriguing late-season upside if he earns a sizable share. Chicago could lean run-first behind Swift plus Johnson and Monangai, providing a tangible path to regular touches. Robinson's career numbers—back-to-back 700+ rushing yards with 20 total touchdowns in 41 games—keep him squarely on fantasy radars should an opportunity materialize in a favorable scheme and workload.

Robinson Jr. will miss Monday’s preseason matchup with Cincinnati, signaling a potential end to his run in Washington as the club weighs a possible trade or even a release in the coming days. If Robinson departs, Washington could lean on Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt to carry most of the backfield workload, with veteran Jeremy McNichols and Kazmeir Allen in the mix for depth.

Washington’s backfield picture features Ekeler and Deebo Samuel as versatile pieces, with Kingsbury and the staff reiterating a heavy RB rotation. The depth and changing roles align with a running-back-by-committee approach, as the franchise evaluates talent ahead of roster decisions after the 2023 changes. Robinson’s career numbers (2,329 rushing yards in 41 games) are a reminder of the value he’s provided, even as the depth chart grows more crowded and uncertain about immediate fantasy upside.