Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

Chris Rodriguez Jr. start or sit: Week 17 fantasy football advice

We break down the fantasy football outlook of Chris Rodriguez Jr. ahead of the Commanders’ Week 17 matchup vs. the Cowboys.

Detroit Lions v Washington Commanders
Detroit Lions v Washington Commanders
Getty Images

Game status update: Rodriguez is INACTIVE for Christmas against the Cowboys. Jacory Croskey-Merritt will get the start in his place.

Game day update: The Commanders added Rodriguez to the injury report on Thursday morning with an illness. It’s unclear what it means for the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, so keep an eye out for inactives, which will arrive at 11:30 a.m. ET.


Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season will kick off with a Christmas triple-header today and the first matchup will feature the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. ET on Netflix.

The Commanders are just counting down the days until the season ends and got overpowered in a 29-18 loss to the Eagles last Saturday. They at least got another productive outing out of running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. and it appears that he’ll be holding down the fort in the backfield for the rest of the way.

Below, we’ll go over Rodriguez’s outlook in fantasy football for Week 17.

Fantasy Football analysis: Commanders RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Rodriguez continued to take command of the Commanders’ backfield in last Saturday’s loss to the Eagles, putting together a solid performance with 15 carries for 63 rushing yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown that made the score more respectable. He has continued to shoulder a bulk of the workload since their bye last month and Saturday’s loss was the first time where he was on the field for over 50% of the offensive snaps this season.

Start or sit in Week 17?

Start. Whether it’s Marcus Mariota or Josh Johnson starting at quarterback for the Commanders today, I still expect Rodriguez to get a bulk of carries for the holiday showdown. With nothing to play for, he may end up being the primary offensive weapon and could get fed a ton of carries in this one. Start him.

More in NFL

From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield
NFL
Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper hit with new domestic violence charges after second arrestBroncos’ Jonathon Cooper hit with new domestic violence charges after second arrest
NFL

The Broncos pass rusher has been arrested again.

By James Dator

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...