Chris Rodriguez Jr. injury news: Why Commanders RB is not playing vs Cowboys tonight?

Washington Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. will miss the Christmas Day TNF game vs the Cowboys after being ruled out with an illness hours before kickoff.

Updated on: Dec 26, 2025, 24:45:32 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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Washington Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. is not playing in the Thursday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day. The 26-year-old was ruled out hours before the game with an illness.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. of the Washington Commanders warms up prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Northwest Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Getty Images via AFP)

Instead of Rodriguez Jr, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is expected to feature massively for the Commanders. Rodriguez Jr., however, will be a big miss as he has recorded career-high numbers this season - 90 rushing attempts for 435 yards and five touchdowns. He has been a key part of Washington's attack since the injury to Austin Ekeler in Week 2.

Rodriguez was listed as questionable in the Thursday morning injury report released by the Washington Commanders. With a few hours left before the game, he has now been turned into inactive - meaning he will, for sure, not feature on TNF vs Dallas.

What Happened To Chris Rodriguez Jr?

Though he will not feature against the Cowboys, Rodriguez Jr's is not suffering from any serious injury, which is good news for the Washington Commanders fans.

The Commanders did not clarify the nature of the illness. However, it is clear that the illness is not too serious and the RB is expected to be back soon, possibly as early as Week 17.

Commanders Depth Chart At RB

While Chris Rodriguez Jr absence is a big blow to the Commanders, given that the 26-year-old has recorded double-digit carrying numbers in his last four games.

But the team is still well stacked on the running back position, with their main man, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, playing on TNF.

Also read: Netflix down? NFL fans complain during Christmas games; ‘can’t chromecast, close captions'

The rookie RB has been excellent for the Commanders this season, with 151 carries for 671 yards and six touchdowns - the highest in the Commanders squad.

While Jacory Croskey-Merritt will feature as RB1, Jeremy McNichols is expected to play RB2. Commanders will have to careful with the workload on Jacory Croskey-Merritt today, given he will have to do most of the work, risking injury chances.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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