Chris Rodriguez
#3 RB,
Commanders
ACTUAL 2022
- FPTS
RANK:-
2023 SEASON
24 FPTS
RANK:125
AGE
22 yrs
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
5'11'' / 224 lbs
COLLEGE
Kentucky
Sticks around on practice squad
Published: 2024-08-28
The Commanders signed Rodriguez to the practice squad Wednesday.
The 2023 sixth-round pick appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Commanders in his rookie year, and over the last five games, Rodriguez turned 37 carries into 186 yards and two touchdowns while adding two catches for 12 yards. Despite that production, Rodriguez lost out to Jeremy McNichols for the No. 3 running back job behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. Rodriguez will stick around with Washington on the practice squad, and he should be elevated to the active roster if Robinson, Ekeler or McNichols were unable to play.
Waived by Washington
Published: 2024-08-27
The Commanders waived Rodriguez on Tuesday, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
A 2023 sixth-round pick, Rodriguez earned a role off the bench late last season and averaged 7.4 carries for 37.2 yards over a five-game stretch Weeks 11-16 before an ankle injury brought his rookie campaign to an early end. He came back healthy this spring/summer, but the new coaching staff in Washington seemed to prefer 28-year-old Jeremy McNichols for the No. 3 RB role behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. It won't be surprising if a team in need of a power runner claims the 224-pound Rodriguez off waivers.
Plays after McNichols
Published: 2024-08-25
Rodriguez rushed the ball one time for one yard in Sunday's 20-10 preseason win over the Patriots. He added four receptions on five targets for 39 yards.
Rodriguez looked to be battling Jeremy McNichols for the third running back job throughout preseason and training camp, and the conclusion may not be in Rodriguez's favor. He was the second back on the field behind McNichols with both Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson resting, and he played into the second half. Rodriguez's ability to chip in on special teams may save his roster spot, but he isn't likely to see the field much with the offense early in the regular season.
Splits time with McNichols
Published: 2024-08-12
Rodriguez took six carries for no gain and saw one incomplete target during Saturday's 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets.
It wasn't an ideal start to the preseason for Rodriguez, and not just because of the unfortunate stat line. He rotated with Jeremy McNichols once Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler were pulled from the game after the opening drive, hinting at a competition between Rodriguez and McNichols for the No. 3 job. Granted, it might not be an especially important distinction, with Rodriguez profiling as a possible replacement for Robinson and McNichols a more natural fit to fill in for Ekeler's role. Landing on the practice squad or gameday inactive list for Week 1 wouldn't necessarily preclude Rodriguez from taking on a significant role in the event of a Robinson injury.
Likely RB3 for Washington
Published: 2024-05-24
With the Commanders not selecting a running back in last month's draft, Rodriguez profiles as the team's No. 3 option at running back behind Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson,Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.
Per Standig, Rodriguez, who's presumably past his late season ankle issue, appears to be the clear early-down backup to Robinson, but with Ekeler also in the mix and destined to see plenty of touches, notably in passing situations, Rodriguez doesn't initially have a path to steady volume as the 2024 season approaches. As a rookie, the 2023 sixth-rounder recorded 51 carries for 247 yards and two TDs to go along with two catches for 12 yards in 13 regular-season contests. Also currently in the Commanders' depth RB mix are Jeremy McNichols, Austin Jones and Michael Wiley.
Shut down for final two games
Published: 2023-12-28
The Commanders placed Rodriguez (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday.
Washington hasn't revealed the findings from the MRI that Rodriguez underwent Tuesday, but scans on the rookie running back's right ankle evidently revealed an injury significant enough to keep him out of the final two weeks of the season. The Kentucky product logged just 14 carries through Washington's first 10 games, but he saw his role expand in the back half of the campaign and carried 10 times in both of the past two contests while lead back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was sidelined. Rodriguez delivered his best outing to date in the Commanders' 30-28 loss to the Jets this past Sunday, accruing 58 yards and two touchdowns on his 10 rushing attempts while hauling in his lone target for a seven-yard gain. Robinson returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion and could be back in action for this Sunday's game against the 49ers, leaving pass-catching specialist Antonio Gibson and Derrick Gore as his top backup options sans Rodriguez. With Gibson set to become a free agent this offseason and uncertain to be retained, Rodriguez could open the 2024 season as the clear No. 2 option behind Robinson after averaging a robust 4.8 yards per carry over 13 appearances as a rookie.
Not practicing
Published: 2023-12-27
Rodriguez (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.
Rodriguez ran for 57 yards and two TDs in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, making the most of Brian Robinson's absence due to a hamstring injury but then ultimately suffering an injury of his own. The rookie wore a walking boot after the game and was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday, making his absence from practice Wednesday the furthest thing from a surprise. Robinson. meanwhile, returned to practice as a limited participant, potentially setting the stage for him to rejoin Antonio Gibson in the backfield as QB Jacoby Brissett prepares for his first start of the season.
Requires MRI
Published: 2023-12-26
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Rodriguez (ankle) will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Rodriguez was spotted with his right foot in a walking boot in the locker room following Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, so it's not especially surprising that he'll need an MRI as the Commanders look to determine the extent of his injury. While top back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was sidelined for the second game in a row, Rodriguez once again handled an expanded role Sunday, playing 22 snaps and carrying 10 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns while adding one catch for seven yards. With the statuses of Robinson and Rodriguez both in flux for the team's Week 17 matchup with the 49ers, the Commanders are left with Antonio Gibson and Derrick Gore as their lone healthy backs at the moment.
Dealing with ankle injury
Published: 2023-12-26
Rodriguez suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Jets, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Rodriguez was spotted in a walking boot after the win, but the exact nature of his injury remains unclear. Jhabvala reports Rodriguez "rolled his ankle" against New York. With all of the injuries in the Commanders' backfield, Washington signed Jaret Patterson to the practice squad Tuesday.