Tag: RB Jeremy McNichols

Commanders make roster moves, bring back familiar face

The Commanders made roster moves with the health of their top running backs in mind.

Chris Rodriguez is back with the Washington Commanders.

The former Kentucky Wildcat running back, in his second season with the Commanders, was surprisingly released Saturday.

It was a surprise move because Brian Robinson had already missed three games this season. Sure enough, Robinson went down early Sunday in the loss to the Cowboys and did not return to play in the second half.

Complicating matters was fellow running back Austin Ekeler’s concussion on Sunday. This is the second time he has suffered a concussion this season. This could be rather dangerous, so the Commanders will be careful when or perhaps even if they bring him back to action this season.

So, back to Rodriquez, he and Jeremy McNichols are now the only healthy running backs on the roster. Rodriguez has carried the ball in only two games this season, including at the NY Giants, when he accumulated 11 carries and 52 rushing yards. On the other hand, McNichols has carried the ball 44 times for 217 yards, good for 4.93 yards per carry.

Michael Wiley, a rookie who played well in the preseason, is on the practice squad.

With the bye week coming in Week 14, it is possible that the Commanders could choose to sit out Robinson this week, giving him two full weeks to heal before the final four games of 2024. If they were to choose this route, the Commanders would most definitely either sign another running back or elevate Wiley to the active roster.

In two other moves Tuesday, the Commanders signed DT Viliami Fehoko Jr. to the practice squad and released G Marquis Hayes from the practice squad.

 

Dan Quinn announces Commanders’ captains vs Eagles

The Eagles will see a familiar face as one of the Commanders’ captains.

Dan Quinn Wednesday named his captains for Thursday night’s Commanders game in Philadelphia.

The game is big, as the Eagles (7-2) host the Commanders (7-3) from Lincoln Financial Field.

As has been Quinn’s custom this season, he named three captains, one each for offense, defense, and special teams.

Talking with the press, Quinn announced the Week 11 captains would be TE Zach Ertz and CB Mike Sainristil, and on special teams, it will be RB Jeremy McNichols, whom Quinn has been heard to call “J-Mack.”

“And all these guys, man, they bring a lot to our team in lots of different ways and standards and competing. And so we’re all pumped to see these guys get this up.”

Ertz is the second-leading receiver for the Commanders this season, with 37 receptions for 381 yards and one receiving touchdown. More importantly, Ertz has 19 receptions, which have converted 19 first downs.

McNichols has filled in nicely for Brian Robinson when Robinson has been ailing with knee and hamstring issues. McNichols has four rushing touchdowns and 190 yards on 38 carries for a 5.0 yards per carry average.

Sainristil has shown flexibility and adaptability when playing both slot and outside corner. The rookie from NCAA champion Michigan recorded the first Commanders’ interception of 2024 against the Ravens.

 

What did Commanders’ roster move say about Brian Robinson’s status?

What did Saturday’s roster move tell us about Brian Robinson Jr?

Saturday, the Commanders elevated running back Chris Rodriguez from the practice squad to their roster.

Why did the Commanders make the move, elevating Rodriguez?

It’s simple, really. Starting running back Brian Robinson, Jr. is ailing.

Robinson has gained 461 yards in his 101 rushing attempts, averaging 4.6 yards a carry. Six times, he has scored a rushing touchdown, and 27 times, he has moved the chains with a first down.

But Robinson is battling a hamstring issue. He has missed practice this week and was listed as questionable. So don’t be surprised if Dan Quinn and Adam Peters decide to sit Robinson and have him “inactive” against the Giants on Sunday.

If the Commanders can win over the Giants, Quinn and Peters might have a more difficult decision concerning Robinson. The next opponent on Sunday, Nov. 10, is the Steelers, followed by the Eagles (Thursday, Nov. 14). Would they play Rodriguez against the Steelers and perhaps have to sit him again against the Eagles? Or might they sit Robinson against the Steelers and play him against the Eagles?

Rodriguez played college football at Kentucky, and Washington selected him in round 6 (193 overall) of the 2023 draft. In 2023, he carried the ball 51 times for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and 12 first downs.

Michael Wiley appeared ahead of Rodriguez throughout the preseason, but again, the Commanders have chosen the more experienced Rodriquez.

Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols will shoulder most of the running back load, while Rodriguez will mostly play special teams and perhaps get some running back carries. The Commanders have been careful not to overuse Ekeler when running the ball inside.

Commanders suffer multiple injuries on the defensive line

Commanders lost more than a game in Week 6.

The Commanders’ loss to the Ravens Sunday was not their biggest loss.

On Monday, head coach Dan Quinn told the press that DT Jonathan Allen had suffered a pectoral tear, and the team would miss Allen this season as he was looking at season-ending surgery.

You don’t simply replace a Jonathan Allen player and leader.

“Yeah, for sure. It’ll be a multitude of people and roles, and how we can feature guys to do that because Jon’s rare and he’s got unique skills and talent. So, it’s not just plug and play,” Quinn said.

Quinn then pointed to the depth at the position for the Commanders. “We got a big, deep crew and we’ll feature all of them a little bit differently and finding the ways that we can do that. But we’ll certainly miss Jon and the strength and the attitude that he brings inside.”

But Allen was not the only defensive lineman injured Sunday.

Quin said Dorance Armstrong had a rib or oblique injury, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste has an ankle injury. We will hopefully get some more information on that. “The X-rays were negative, but certainly dealing with the type of sprains and things to go.”

The return of Efe Obada was just in time because he is certainly going to be needed now without Allen. Quinn did not dismiss the possibility that the Commanders might now be forced to acquire another lineman.
“It’ll be something that [General Manager] Adam [Peters] and his staff and I will visit with about.”

But he also stated that players on the depth chart need to prepare for unexpected injuries. He spoke of Jeremy McNichols as a prime example of “staying ready, and your moment comes, you nail it.” He’s the one on our team right now that comes to mind first.

Quick facts from Commanders’ 34-13 win over Browns

Several facts and stats from Commanders’ 34-13 win vs. Browns.

Here are several of today’s quick facts regarding the Commanders 34-13 win over the Cleveland Browns in Landover.

  • The Commanders won their fourth consecutive game Sunday, after losing the season opener. The last time Washington won four straight was in 2021, when Washington was 2-6, won four straight to go to 6-6.
  • With the win, the Commanders are 4-1 for the first time since the 2008 season. But that team fell apart, finishing 8-8.
  • No. 17 Terry McLaurin caught four passes for 112 yards today. It was the 17th game McLaurin has totaled at least 100 receiving yards.
  • With another rushing touchdown today, RB Jeremy McNichols has scored in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
  • With three touchdowns rushing today, Washington has now registered three rushing touchdowns in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history.
  • The Commanders’ defense held the Browns to 1-13 on third downs, while the Commanders were 8-17 on third downs.
  • Washington accumulated 434 total offensive yards, while the Browns only managed 212. The Commanders averaged 6.7 yards a play while limiting the Browns to 3.6 yards a play.
  • The Commanders are reporting that today QB Jayden Daniels has become the first player in NFL history to have had 1,000+ passing yards and 250+ rushing yards in their first five career games.
  • Scoring 34 points on Sunday, Washington has now scored 30+ points in three consecutive games for the eighth time in franchise history and the first time since 2005.
  • Terry McLaurin reached 400 NFL career receptions. McLaurin, Gary Clark and Satana Moss are the only receivers in franchise history to record 400+ receptions in their first 6 seasons with Washington.
  • Frankie Luvu had 7 tackles (4 solo) a fumble recovery, 2.5 sacks as the Commanders totaled 7 QB sacks. Others who had one were Bobby Wagner (1.5), while Jonathan Allen, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler each had one.

Wow! Commanders romp Cardinals 42-14

Some facts and numbers from the Commanders’ win vs. Cardinals.

The Washington Commanders are atop the NFC East after four games!

Washington has won three straight games.

Tress Way has punted once in those three games.

Might the Commanders now be the difficult game on the opponent’s schedule?

Washington scored 40 points for the first time since Thanksgiving 2020 when they routed the Cowboys 41-16.

This road win was the first double-digit win since the meaningless season finale in 2022 when they beat the Cowboys 26-6.

The Commanders ran the ball 37 times for a whopping 216 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per rushing attempt.

The Commanders won the time of possession of the football with 33:22 and the Cardinals only 26:38.

Jeremy McNichols came into the game with one career touchdown. He scored two touchdowns just today, including a 27-yard run.

The Commanders’ defense, which came into the game with the worst third-down defense by far, recorded four sacks of the very mobile Kyler Murray!

Can you believe Jayden Daniels? Today, Daniels did it again, completing 26 of his 30 attempts for 233 yards, one touchdown pass and one interception.

Washington scoring 42 points was the most for this franchise since “You know who” (Al Galdi) was quarterbacking the team up and down the field in a Sunday Night win over the Green Bay Packers.

 

Who will handle return duties for Commanders vs. Cardinals?

Who will handle return duties in Week 4 with Ekeler and Crowder out?

The Commanders are in a possibly tough spot Sunday against the Cardinals.

Austin Ekeler and Jamison Crowder were both ruled out this week by Commanders’ Head Coach Dan Quinn. Crowder was the primary punt returner for the 2023 team, while Ekeler has been the leading kickoff returner in 2024.

Even more, Ekeler returned the opening kickoff against the Giants in Week 2 for a touchdown; however, it was called back due to a penalty. Proving it wasn’t luck, in Week 3, Ekeler took the second-half opening kickoff 62 yards.

https://Twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/1835762570126385258

With Ekeler and Crowder unavailable for Sunday, who will return the punts and kicks? Friday, when Quinn was asked about this by the press, here is how the head coach responded.

“Yes, (WR) Olamide (Zacchaeus) will be one. (WR) Luke’s (McCaffrey) been getting back there. On the kick return side, we’ve certainly worked with J-Mic (Jeremy McNichols), Noah’s (Igbinoghene) done that. So in that way, we are not going to replace Austin (Ekeler).”

Quinn then summed up this issue with his philosophy during the long, hot days of training camp and preseason.

“However, when you do have a big, deep crew, you do work a lot of guys. When these situations come up, you need to be ready for it. So through practices and preseason games, gaining that experience is really important.”

Commanders call upon Jeremy McNichols to share RB load

McNichols was an unsung hero in Week 3.

Jeremy McNichols made a huge play Monday night in the win against the Bengals.

However, the television announcers did not make mention of McNichols making the play. Probably most of the sports television analysts the next day only talked of Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels, but watch the replay again.

The Bengals brought eight on the blitz, the Commanders only had seven blockers. McNichols (running back) stepped up to an inside blitzer, leaving the outside blitzer to come and hit Daniels just after he released the ball. McNichols taking out the inside blitzer, provided Daniels the time needed to throw the deep touchdown to McLaurin.

“There’s a lot of things that come to mind with him (McNichols),” said Dan Quinn.  “Humility, and the other one is trust. He’s somebody that when called upon, man, does he deliver.”  Quinn then referred to that particular protection by McNichols.

With Austin Ekeler out with a concussion this week, McNichols will be asked to protect Daniels, receive passes, and run the ball.

“Whatever role he’s asked, he usually delivers, because of that mindset, whether its dirty work, like going to pick up a blitz, or covering kicks. That’s why I thought it fitting for him to be a captain for this game.”

In 2024, McNichols has only one carry and no targets, but with Ekeler out, McNichols moves up to share the load at running back with Brian Robinson Jr. Sunday against the Cardinals.

Commanders’ Week 4 game captains and injury report

Quinn named three deserving captains and an injury update for the game at the Cardinals, Sunday.

Friday, Dan Quinn met with the media informing them of the Week 4 game captains and injuries update.

Quinn stated the captains for Sunday against the Cardinals will be guard Nick Allegretti, safety Quan Martin and running back Jeremy McNichols.

All three players have been praised this week, so it is no coincidence of their being rewarded this week. In the Week 3 win at Cincinnati, tight end Zach Ertz caught a Jayden Daniels pass, but fumbled when hit. Fortunately for the team, Allegretti was not standing there watching the play. No, immediately following the reception, Allegretti began running downfield to trail the play. When the loose ball hit the turf, there was Allegretti to alertly pounce on it, recovering Ertz’ fumble, keeping the drive alive.

Safety Quan Martin has been mentioned by name by defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Whitt named Martin as one of his four players who are meeting the standard he set in training camp. Again this week, Whitt named Martin as a player Whitt really thinks is playing well.

McNichols seized the attention of coaches, teammates and fans for the way he played tough when called upon when Austin Ekeler was knocked out of the Bengals game with a concussion. In particular, on the 3rd & 7 with 2:15 remaining, when Daniels dropped back, the Bengals sent a couple of blitzers. McNichols picked up on blitzer, not only in the technical term, but literally lifted him off of the ground in a beautiful blitz pick up. This was the inside blitzer, who, had he not been picked up, Daniels would never have had time to make his game-winning touchdown toss to Terry McLaurin.

Those injured who will not play against the Cardinals? Quinn declared Clelin Ferrell (knee), Austin Ekeler (concussion) and Jamison Crowder (calf) as out for Sunday’s game.

2024 NFL preview: How ready are the Commanders at running back?

We preview Washington’s running backs ahead of the 2024 season.

So, how well will the Commanders run the ball in 2024?

Running the ball was not something the Commanders did much in 2023. Then offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy was determined to show everyone his passing offense that the Commanders were No. 1 in dropbacks with 736. To make things worse, Bieniemy used the lowest play-action rate in the NFL (32nd).

New offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is often associated with the Air Raid offense. But history has shown Kingsbury more balanced, forcing the defense to play both run and pass.

Consequently, the Commanders’ running game is much more prominent in the plans for 2024. Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, and Jeremy McNichols can plan on carrying the ball.

Perhaps the most interesting player to be carrying the ball often in 2024 might be quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels is very swift on his feet, so look for Kingsbury to have the Commanders run some zone-read options in the opener in Tampa.

Robinson will be the starter, and if he remains healthy, expect him to get over 200 carries. The former Alabama back has shown himself to be durable, physical and dependable.

Ekeler will spell Robinson at times and primarily be a third-down back. He is effective catching the ball out of the backfield and has enjoyed two huge seasons. In 2019, he caught 92 passes, and in 2022, he collected 107.

Ekeler was injured last season, which contributed to his lower numbers. His critics also say he lost a step, which contributed to his decline in production. The Commanders hope his decline was due to his ankle injury in 2023.

McNichols (age 28) came to Washington from San Francisco last season, where Adam Peters was the assistant general manager. In the preseason, McNichols displayed his ability to produce as both a runner and receiver.

Michael Wiley, Chris Rodriguez, and Kazmeir Allen are on the Practice Squad and ready for action should injuries hurt the Commanders’ running backs this season. Wiley and Rodriguez can both be physical runners, while Allen is quick and best in the open field.