Chris Rodriguez Jr. placed on IR, rookie season ends

Chris Rodriguez Jr. saved his best for last to close out his solid rookie campaign with the Washington Commanders. Racking up a career-high 58 yards on ten carries with two touchdowns in a tight loss to the New York Jets, the first-year running back injured his ankle and was seen after the game in a boot. After missing practice to open the week, the Commanders announced Rodriguez would be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

The former Kentucky star opened the season as Washington’s No. 3 running back, but saw a path to reps with starter Brian Robinson missing time with a hamstring injury. That led to back-to-back weeks of ten-carry games, going for 35 yards against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 17 before his 58-yard effort against the Jets.

Finally building momentum to close out the year, Rodriguez will now miss the team’s final two games against the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. He will finish his rookie season with 247 yards and two touchdowns on 51 carries — a team-best 4.8 yards per carry — while adding 12 receiving yards on two catches.

Rodriguez was selected in the sixth round with the No. 193 overall pick in 2023 following a historic career in Lexington. In four years with the Wildcats, the star running back racked up 3,644 career rushing yards, good for third-most in program history. He added 32 rushing touchdowns, second on Kentucky’s all-time list, and 35 total scores overall. The McDonough, GA native recorded a school-record 20 100-yard games before taking his talents to the NFL.

He’s off to a solid start, but now, it’s time for Rodriguez to turn his attention toward year two in Washington.