Fantasy Football News

Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt impressed as a runner in his 2025 rookie season, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and ranking 12th among 51 qualifiers in rush yards over expected per attempt. But his fantasy value was capped by minimal receiving production: Just 9 catches across 17 games. That followed scant passing-game usage in college, with JCM totaling just 34 grabs in 44 outings. But word out of Commanders camp is that Croskey-Merritt has been seeing more work as a receiver and showing improvement in that department.

Washington presents one of the most interesting backfields to watch for potential 2026 fantasy value. Why? The Commanders ranked fifth in the league in scoring and seventh in total yards with a healthy QB Jayden Daniels in 2024. That team also ranked top 5 in rushing attempts, rushing yards, yards per attempt, and rushing TDs. And although the QB helped those numbers, Washington RBs also tallied the league’s 11th-most PPR points that season. That group found Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler finishing 30th and 32nd, respectively, in PPR points per game. Even last year’s struggling Commanders offense -- with just seven games from Daniels -- still finished ninth in rushing attempts, fourth in yards, fifth in yards per carry and eighth in TDs. This year’s backfield swapped out Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez for multiple new candidates but lacks role clarity as we head toward summer. That’s why it’s important to track the buzz from practices.

The Washington Commanders selected Penn State RB Kaytron Allen in Round 6 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Allen brings one of the most well-rounded profiles in this RB class. The four-year contributor rushed for 867 yards and 10 TDs as a freshman. Over his final two seasons, Allen piled up 2,411 yards and 23 TDs on 430 carries, out-producing teammate Nick Singleton. Allen finished as Penn State’s all-time leading rusher with 4,180 yards. Among the 20 RBs invited to the NFL Combine, Allen ranked second in 2025 rushing market share (61.2%), and fifth in yards after contact per attempt (3.77). He ranked fourth in 2025 missed tackles forced per attempt (0.27) and 20th in receiving yards per route run (0.48). He is currently 23 years old.

The Commanders have agreed to a one-year deal with RB Jerome Ford. The former fifth-round pick spent the past four seasons in Cleveland. His high point came in 2023, with a 204-813-4 rushing line and 44 receptions for 319 yards and 5 TDs on 63 targets. That was the year Nick Chubb went down with a Week 2 knee injury. Ford dipped to 104 carries in 2024 but maintained a nice receiving role, leading the backfield in targets, catches, and yards. He fell behind Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson on last year's depth chart before hitting the open market.

The Commanders are signing RB Rachaad White to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. We'll see about the money involved, but the length of the contract means Washington isn't making a major commitment. White has spent the last four seasons in Tampa Bay, averaging 664 rushing yards, 363 receiving yards, and 6.3 total TDs per season.

The Buccaneers have fired OC Josh Grizzard, according to multiple reports. Grizzard spent just one season piloting the Tampa Bay offense after joining the team as pass-game coordinator in 2024. He spent seven years on the Dolphins offensive staff before that, working under head coaches Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and Mike McDaniel. Next season will mark the fifth time in five years under HC Todd Bowles that the Bucs have sported a different OC.

The Buccaneers welcomed RB Bucky Irving back Sunday by re-inserting him as the clear backfield leader. Irving handled 17 of the 21 RB carries in the win over the Cardinals, gaining 61 yards (3.6 per rush) and scoring the team's only ground TD. Rachaad White followed with just 7 yards on two carries. Sean Tucker handled the other two carries for no gain. White led the backfield receiving with 3 catches for 22 yards on three targets. Irving got the other two backfield targets, catching both for 20 yards.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) is active for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. HC Todd Bowles said Wednesday that Irving will "probably be on a pitch count" in his first action since Week 4. Bowles then said Friday that he’ll ride the hot hand at RB, potentially opening the door for more work for Irving. We’re still projecting his touches to be scaled back considerably today, though. Check your Team Dashboard to see if Irving belongs in your starting lineup this week.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Cardinals. He was a full participant in practice all week, though, and is expected to play. But Tampa Bay’s coaching staff has hinted multiple times this week that Irving is unlikely to get a full workload in his first action since Week 4. “Once he gets in, we’ll see how he’s rolling,” HC Todd Bowles said Friday. “And then between him, Rachaad [White], and Sean [Tucker], we’ll kinda go with the hot hand.” Irving carries a wide range of outcomes in Week 13. Check your Team Dashboard to see if he makes sense in your starting lineup.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He's on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. But HC Todd Bowles said Irving will "probably be on a pitch count" in his first action since Week 4. "Similar to Chris Godwin last week," Bowles added. "We’ll kinda see how he goes, and which RB does what, and then playing time will be dependent on that." Godwin notably played just 36% of Tampa Bay's snaps in his return last week. We'll look for more hints on the Bucs' backfield plans in this one, but Irving is shaping up as a risk/reward Week 13 fantasy play.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) is out for Sunday night’s game vs. the Rams. HC Todd Bowles said Friday that Irving is trending toward a Week 13 return. We’ll keep you updated on his status next week. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker will again handle backfield duties in Los Angeles. Tucker is coming off a monster game against a bad Buffalo run defense. The task will be much tougher vs. the Rams’ top-ranked RB defense. See where Tucker and White sit in the Week 12 RB rankings.

Tampa Bay Times beat writer Rick Stroud reported that Tampa Bay Buccaneers' RB Bucky Irving is not expected to play in Week 12 and has "struggled emotionally" after suffering his first significant injury of his career. Irving has been out since Week 4 with a foot sprain. There was some optimism that Irving would return this week after he participated in a limited practice session again on Wednesday. However, it looks like the Buccaneers will once again turn to the backfield duo of Rachaad White and Sean Tucker in a tough spot on Sunday night in Los Angeles to take on a formidable Rams' defense.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) remained limited in Wednesday's practice. HC Todd Bowles said the team plans to "ramp up" Irving in practice this week and see how he responds. "We’ll get a good idea tomorrow and Friday" on Irving's status for Sunday night's game vs. the Rams. Stay tuned. RBs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker would figure to split backfield work again if Irving misses another game, although this week's matchup is much tougher against Los Angeles' top-ranked RB defense.

Buccaneers RB Sean Tucker dominated for fantasy managers with a 19-106-2 stat line. He also went 2-34-1 through the air, catching both of his targets. He outrushed fellow RB Rachaad White, who went 10-51-0 despite White playing 43 snaps to Tucker’s 31.

The forecast for today's Buccaneers-Bills game calls for sustained winds around 20 mph with gusts up to 35. There's a chance for a rain/snow mix, but the wind is the concern here. The over/under on this game has dropped from 48.5 on Thursday to 46.5. We're docking the passing projections on both sides and would avoid the kickers.

Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) is out for this weekend’s game vs. the Bills. Irving was limited in practice all week, but it sounds like he’s still not cleared for contact with that shoulder injury. We’ll see if he can make it back for Week 12’s game vs. the Rams. Irving’s absence again leaves the backfield to Rachaad White and Sean Tucker. The carries have been split almost evenly between them the past two games (23 for White to 21 for Tucker), but White continues to control passing-game work.