Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Thursday that Rodriguez could be the team's goal-line back, although Quinn also commented that the team won't necessarily have traditional backfield roles, Commanders writer Ben Standig reports.

With Brian Robinson reportedly on the trade block and perhaps even at risk of being released, there's been a lot of recent discussion about what Washington's backfield might look like. Austin Ekeler is the safest bet for snaps and touches, but he's unlikely to handle a huge workload, leaving paths for Rodriguez, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and/or Jeremy McNichols to get involved. Most of the fantasy discussion has centered on Croskey-Merritt this summer, but Rodriguez got the start alongside QB Jayden Daniels in Washington's second preseason game and promptly broke off a 40-yard run on the opening drive. Croskey-Merritt then came on for the second series, while Ekeler was held out and McNichols played later on. A three-way committee between Ekeler, Rodriguez and Croskey-Merritt is the most likely outcome for Week 1 against the Giants, regardless of various judgements and opinions on how things might play out from there. Rodriguez is worthy of a fantasy bench spot in most leagues while we wait to see just how things play out in Washington's backfield.

Etienne took three carries for 26 yards and saw three incomplete targets in Thursday's 19-10 preseason loss to Pittsburgh.

With Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle rested, Etienne got the start and broke free for a 28-yard gain on his first run. He got stuffed on his other two carries, however, and didn't have any luck on his targets. Etienne likely will enter Week 1 as Carolina's No. 3 running back, but the fourth-round pick could reasonably challenge Dowdle for the second spot on the depth chart this year.

Skattebo took three carries for 12 yards in Thursday's 42-10 preseason win over the Patriots.

Making his preseason debut after a hamstring injury cost him a few weeks, Skattebo got the start on a night when Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary were among the many players rested. Skattebo played the first two drives and gained four yards on each of his three carries before calling it a night. Tracy appears to be the starter for Week 1 against Washington, with both Skattebo and Singletary candidates for roles off the bench. All the missed time during training camp and the preseason killed any chance Skattebo might've had to push Tracy for the lead role Week 1.

Johnson took five carries for 24 yards and one catch for two yards in Thursday's 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers.

Johnson came in at the start of the third drive, after Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell were done playing (but before the first-string offensive linemen were removed). The rookie had gains of seven and eight yards on his carries behind the starting O-line, and he didn't play at all after halftime. It was a nice finish to the preseason, with back-to-back solid outings after struggling in Pittsburgh's opener, but Johnson won't necessarily have a large role come Week 1 against the Jets. That doesn't mean he won't be a key part of the offense as the season progresses, but there's risk of a three-man committee initially, with Warren presumably starting and Gainwell seemingly on track for at least a small role.

Warren started Thursday's 19-10 preseason win over Carolina, taking two carries for three yards and two catches for 12 yards.

Warren and Kenneth Gainwell rotated on the first two drives before handing things over to rookie Kaleb Johnson, who took five carries for 24 yards. It's possible all three running backs have roles come Week 1 against the Jets, but Warren is at least the favorite to start and thus the safest fantasy play among the trio (for now).

Blackshear (ankle) is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason contest against the Steelers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Blackshear sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter, which could bring his night to an early end. The running back logged 11 carries for 35 yards, while also catching both of his targets for eight yards prior to his departure.

Kiner (ankle) reverted to injured reserve with the 49ers on Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Kiner sustained a high-ankle sprain in the 49ers' preseason matchup with the Raiders on Saturday. He will now be sidelined for the entirety of the 2025 campaign unless he reaches an injury settlement with San Francisco and becomes a free agent.

Skattebo is suited up ahead of Thursday's preseason contest versus the Patriots, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.

The Giants invested a fourth-round pick in Skattebo during the 2025 NFL Draft, and he was impressing as a receiver out of the backfield early on in training camp before sustaining a hamstring injury in practice on Aug. 1. He proceeded to miss the team's first two exhibitions before getting back on the field Tuesday, when he logged team drills. New York isn't expected to make many of its starters available Thursday, but if Skattebo suits up, he'll have his first in-game opportunity to push Devin Singletary for the No. 2 spot on the RB depth chart behind starter Tyrone Tracy.

Warren is suited up ahead of Thursday's preseason game in Carolina, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Warren didn't play in the Steelers' first two exhibitions, so there's a chance he's getting a dress rehearsal of sorts ahead of the regular season. While he won't get a chance to work with new starting QB Aaron Rodgers, the breakdown of RB reps between Warren and rookie third-rounder Kaleb Johnson will worth monitoring, assuming the former gets on the field. Since going undrafted in 2022, Warren has one campaign with more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage on his resume (1,154 in 2023) and also has averaged 11.5 touches per game the past two seasons.

Taua was waived by the Browns on Thursday.

Taua had been with the organization since July 28 but will now look for a new team to join if he passes through waivers unclaimed. Cleveland has five other running backs with the team, as well as unsigned rookie Quinshon Judkins.