Jayden Daniels Makes Statement About Breakout Commanders RB
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Jayden Daniels explained what makes a breakout RB for the Washington Commanders special.
More than a few people might be surprised by how rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merrit ran over a tough Los Angeles Chargers defense in Week 5, but Jayden Daniels isn’t one of them. Not when the starting quarterback for the Washington Commanders knows what makes the seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft special.
Daniels spilled the goods on Croksey-Merritt’s talents after the Commanders left SoFi Stadium with a 27-10 win on Sunday, October 5. The victory was made possible by Croskey-Merritt amassing 150 total yards, including 111 and two touchdowns on the ground.
Those numbers show the Commanders have a legitimate playmaker in the backfield, and Daniels already knows “The kid runs hard and he makes plays,” per The Team 980’s Ben Standig.
Making plays was how Croskey-Merritt enjoyed a breakout game. It’s also how he helped Daniels become an instant winner on his return from a knee injury.
Fortunately for Daniels, Croskey-Merritt is promising there are more big games to come.
Jacory Croskey-Merrit Promises More
Underlying numbers showed he was already playing at an elite level, but Croskey-Merritt needed a showcase game to prove he’s more than a rotational back. The 24-year-old delivered by ripping off “gains of 13, 15, 27, 10, 15, 21, 28, 11, and 18 yards” against the Bolts, according to Underdog’s Josh Norris.
His best gains occurred on runs around the corner that allowed Croskey-Merritt to show off some elite speed. Like when he “hit 20 MPH on his way into the end zone” for this first TD, according to Next Gen Stats (h/t NFLPlus).
Croskey-Merrit also added a 28-yard catch to his impressive output. In the process, he showed the Commanders he can be an every-down back.
That’s no-small development for a team that traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers, before losing versatile veteran Austin Ekeler to a season-ending torn Achilles.
Those issues left offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury relying on a cobbled-together committee involving backups Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Yet it’s Croskey-Merritt who is making his case to be the lead back.
The first-year pro believes he showed the league “I can make plays when my name is called. Obviously, I got a lot of work to do. I still feel like I got a lot more I want to show,” per Fox Sports: NFL reporter Eric Williams.
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on what he showed the NFL with his 111-yard rushing performance: “That I can make plays when my name is called.” pic.twitter.com/ezB3v48eFp
— Eric Williams (@edubnfl22) October 6, 2025
Those words are an exciting prediction of what Croskey-Merritt will do with more carries. They are also a message to Daniels he has the support of a similarly dynamic athlete in the running game.
Jayden Daniels Lifted Commanders
Having Daniels back in the lineup opened up the field for Croskey-Merritt and the rest of the Commanders‘ skill players. While his stat line of 231 passing yards and eight rushes for 39 looks solid, but not spectacular, Daniels was smart with the football and made plays in clutch moments.
Last season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year also helped himself to another record. Daniels became the first player in history to reach 4,000-plus yards passing and more than 1,000 rushing yards in his first 20 games as a pro, per NFL GameDay.
Those numbers are one more reminder of why Daniels has had a transformative impact on the Commanders. He made them an immediate contender last season, now Daniels will hope for help from Croskey-Merritt to keep the Commanders among the league’s elite.
Former Steelers WR Attempting Comeback After Injury
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers could use some wide receiver help after Calvin Austin III suffered a shoulder injury, leaving his availability in question for the coming weeks. If they're looking to go back to a player who performed well during their preseason campaign, they may have an option, as Brandon Johnson is beginning his comeback from a gruesome injury.
Johnson was set to likely make the Steelers practice squad this season, being just on the outside looking in of the active roster. The veteran returned after a stunt on the team last year and had moments during the preseason where he shined.
Johnson's Injury
However, tragedy struck during the team's final preseason game when Johnson suffered an ankle/foot injury that ended his time with the Steelers. The former Denver Broncos wideout was building traction in Pittsburgh, but was last seen in Pittsburgh walking with a boot on his foot and was released after being waived with an injury settlement just shortly after the final roster cuts.
At 27 years old, Johnson has played in 23 games with three starts and has caught 26 passes for 335 yards and five touchdowns.
He's also been a notable special teamer, being capable of returning kicks and punts and working on kick and punt coverage.
NFL Comeback
Johnson is attempting his comeback as the NFL enters Week 5 of the regular season. The wideout worked out for the New York Giants ahead of Week 5, marking the first time he's tried out for a team since the injury.
The workout likely means Johnson is near full health from his preseason injury and ready to contribute. It may be difficult for him to land on an active roster this season, but may be able to make his way onto a practice squad in the coming weeks as teams shift their rosters near the trade deadline.
The Steelers likely aren't looking for a practice squad option after signing Isaiah Hodgins earlier in the season. That could change if someone else gets hurt on top of Austin, but for now, they're pretty set on their rotation.
For Pittsburgh, it's about finding their third contributor behind Austin and DK Metcalf and trying to make something happen with their receiving core that includes Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson.
They've yet to revert to those on the practice squad, but if nothing changes with the production of their final three and Austin misses multiple weeks, that could change.
