The Washington Commanders are facing uncertainty regarding running back Chris Rodriguez as they prepare for their Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Just before kickoff, Rodriguez was added to the injury report due to an illness, raising questions about his availability for the game.
This announcement came early on Thursday, with the team confirming, “RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) has been added to the injury report and is questionable for today”s game.” The list of inactive players will be released an hour and a half prior to the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, making it crucial for fans and fantasy owners to stay updated.
While it remains unclear if Rodriguez will take the field, he may have a better chance than usual to play, as athletes typically do not miss games solely due to illness. However, the fact that he reported feeling unwell on the day of the game adds a layer of unpredictability to his status.
From a fantasy perspective, even though Rodriguez has seen an increased role in the offense during the latter part of the season, his performance has not been stellar. He has averaged only 9.7 fantasy points over his last four games, placing him at RB36 overall and making him a borderline flex option.
This week, he faces a favorable matchup against the Cowboys, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to running backs. However, concerns about Rodriguez”s health and the fact that the Commanders will have Josh Johnson starting in place of injured quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota could limit his effectiveness.
Considering these factors, it is advisable not to start Rodriguez in fantasy football lineups during championship week. The combination of his illness and the quarterback situation makes him too risky a choice for crucial matchups.
As the game approaches, fans will be eager to see if Rodriguez can overcome this setback and contribute to his team”s efforts against their division rivals.
