With the Commanders not selecting a running back in last month's draft, Rodriguez profiles as the team's No. 3 option at running back behind Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson,Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Standig, Rodriguez, who's presumably past his late-season ankle issue, appears to be the clear early-down backup to Robinson. However, with Ekeler also in the mix and destined to see plenty of touches, notably in passing situations, Rodriguez doesn't initially have a path to steady volume as the 2024 season approaches. As a rookie, the 2023 sixth-rounder recorded 51 carries for 247 yards and two TDs to go along with two catches for 12 yards in 13 regular-season contests. Also currently in the Commanders' depth RB mix are Jeremy McNichols, Austin Jones and Michael Wiley (thumb).

The Commanders placed Rodriguez (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Washington hasn't revealed the findings from the MRI that Rodriguez underwent Tuesday, but scans on the rookie running back's right ankle evidently revealed an injury significant enough to keep him out of the final two weeks of the season. The Kentucky product logged just 14 carries through Washington's first 10 games, but he saw his role expand in the back half of the campaign and carried 10 times in both of the past two contests while lead back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was sidelined. Rodriguez delivered his best outing to date in the Commanders' 30-28 loss to the Jets this past Sunday, accruing 58 yards and two touchdowns on his 10 rushing attempts while hauling in his lone target for a seven-yard gain. Robinson returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion and could be back in action for this Sunday's game against the 49ers, leaving pass-catching specialist Antonio Gibson and Derrick Gore as his top backup options sans Rodriguez. With Gibson set to become a free agent this offseason and uncertain to be retained, Rodriguez could open the 2024 season as the clear No. 2 option behind Robinson after averaging a robust 4.8 yards per carry over 13 appearances as a rookie.

Rodriguez (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Rodriguez ran for 57 yards and two TDs in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, making the most of Brian Robinson's absence due to a hamstring injury but then ultimately suffering an injury of his own. The rookie wore a walking boot after the game and was scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday, making his absence from practice Wednesday the furthest thing from a surprise. Robinson. meanwhile, returned to practice as a limited participant, potentially setting the stage for him to rejoin Antonio Gibson in the backfield as QB Jacoby Brissett prepares for his first start of the season.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Rodriguez (ankle) will undergo an MRI on Tuesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Rodriguez was spotted with his right foot in a walking boot in the locker room following Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets, so it's not especially surprising that he'll need an MRI as the Commanders look to determine the extent of his injury. While top back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was sidelined for the second game in a row, Rodriguez once again handled an expanded role Sunday, playing 22 snaps and carrying 10 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns while adding one catch for seven yards. With the statuses of Robinson and Rodriguez both in flux for the team's Week 17 matchup with the 49ers, the Commanders are left with Antonio Gibson and Derrick Gore as their lone healthy backs at the moment.

Rodriguez suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Jets, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rodriguez was spotted in a walking boot after the win, but the exact nature of his injury remains unclear. Jhabvala reports that Rodriguez "rolled his ankle" against New York. Given all of the injuries in its backfield, Washington signed Jaret Patterson to the practice squad Tuesday.

Rodriguez was spotted with a boot on his right foot following Sunday's victory over the Jets, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rodriguez had easily his best game as a professional in Week 16, totaling 65 yards and two scores, but it appears he injured his foot somewhere along the way. Further details were not immediately available, but Rodriguez's status will be updated again when more information is released.

Rodriguez carried the ball 10 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns and caught his only target for seven yards in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

For the second straight week with Brian Robinson (hamstring) sidelined, Rodriguez split the backfield workload with Antonio Gibson nearly equally, but this time the rookie was the far more effective and productive back. Rodriguez got the Commanders on the board with a 12-yard TD run in the second quarter before punching in a one-yard score in the fourth quarter as the team nearly pulled off a comeback from a 27-7 deficit. Robinson has yet to resume practicing, and if he misses another game, Rodriguez could break out of the timeshare with Gibson in Week 17 against the 49ers.

Rodriguez rushed the ball 10 times for 35 yards in Sunday's 28-20 loss to the Rams.

EDGE Analysis

With Brian Robinson (hamstring) sidelined, Rodriguez paced the Washington backfield in carries. He wasn't particularly efficient with the opportunity, as his longest gain went for just 11 yards and he was held under four yards on six of his 10 attempts. If Robinson remains sidelined for a Week 16 matchup against the Jets, it appears that Rodriguez will be the team's primary back on early downs, while Antonio Gibson will see most of the pass-catching opportunities out of the backfield.

Coach Ron Rivera said Friday that Rodriguez will get more opportunities out of the backfield with Brian Robinson (hamstring) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Robinson left Week 13's game against the Dolphins early with the injury, and Rodriguez handled seven carries following his departure. Antonio Gibson still paced the team with 10 rushing attempts, and four of Rodriguez's seven carries came on Washington's final four snaps of a blowout loss. While Rodriguez figures to take at least some of the work that normally goes to Robinson, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what the split between Gibson and the rookie will look like.

Rodriguez took seven carries for 29 yards in a 45-15 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Rodriguez played a career-high 22 percent of Washington's snaps on offense, getting some extra work due to Brian Robinson missing the second half with a hamstring injury. It still didn't amount to much until garbage time -- he got four of his carries on Washington's final four snaps -- but there will be an opportunity for role expansion ahead if Robinson isn't ready after a Week 14 bye. The Commanders have a road game against the Rams in Week 15, and they might give Rodriguez more of a look down the stretch even if Robinson ends up being fine to play post-bye.