SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Washington Commanders placed running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt on injured reserve, sidelining their starting back for at least four games.
Croskey-Merritt reinjured his groin in the team's Week 5 tie vs. the New York Giants. He originally hurt it in training camp, sidelining him for the final two preseason games.
The good news for Washington (1-3-1) is that corner Trey Amos, who fractured his left fibula in Week 9 last season, was activated off IR ahead of Monday's game against the 49ers (5-0). Amos was Washington's most effective corner in the nine games he started as a rookie in 2025.
He recovered from the broken leg, but entering camp he was placed on the physically unable to perform list because of a soft tissue/muscle soreness. He injured an ankle in his first practice this summer and was placed on IR to open the season.
Croskey-Merritt is Washington's leading rusher this season with 239 yards, and he has also scored twice. In 2025, he led the Commanders with 805 rushing yards as a rookie. After averaging 4.6 yards per carry in his first season, he's gaining only 3.6 this year.
Washington activated Jeremy McNichols off IR. He had injured a quad in training camp. His return will help a group that also includes Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler.
The Commanders' run game ranks seventh in the NFL at 4.7 yards per carry. But a lot of that success is due to quarterbacks Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. Washington leads the NFL with 268 yards rushing by its quarterbacks, and Daniels scored on runs of 38 and 26 yards vs. the Giants last week.
Washington also placed backup outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste on injured reserve with pectoral injury. The Commanders activated backup inside linebacker Jordan Magee off IR. He'll bolster special teams.