Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt out vs. 49ers with groin injury

Why Croskey-Merritt is out Monday

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said Saturday that running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt will not play Monday against the San Francisco 49ers because of a groin injury. Quinn called it a reinjury. Croskey-Merritt did not practice at all this week because of the issue.

Calling it a reinjury matters. It means the staff is treating this as the same groin problem flaring back up, not something new. That groin injury already cost Croskey-Merritt Washington's final two preseason games in August, so this is the third separate absence tied to the same spot.

He was already playing hurt in the tie

Croskey-Merritt had been dealing with the groin injury entering Washington's 27-27 tie against the visiting New York Giants in Week 5. He still took the field and picked up 11 carries for 82 yards, but he had just one carry after the third quarter, which lines up with a player being managed through pain rather than playing at full health.

For the season, Croskey-Merritt leads Washington with 239 rushing yards and two touchdowns. That he's the team's top rusher despite the recurring groin trouble says a lot about how much the Commanders will miss him Monday night in San Francisco.

Who fills in

Washington turns to Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler with Croskey-Merritt out. White has his own ailment, a shoulder that had him limited at Friday's practice after being a full participant the day before. Ekeler, who signed with the Commanders before Week 4, has been limited in practice with a chest injury.

Jeremy McNichols is traveling with the team to San Francisco and could be activated off injured reserve in time for Monday's game. He opened the season on IR because of a quad injury he suffered over the summer.

Other names on the injury report

Quinn did not say whether receiver Stefon Diggs will play. Diggs missed the Giants game with a hamstring injury and was limited in practice Friday. If he does play Monday, it would be the first time Diggs, Terry McLaurin and quarterback Jayden Daniels have all been on the field together since Week 2.

Washington could also get back cornerback Trey Amos, who has been on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and safety Nick Cross, who hasn't played since Week 2 because of an internal injury. Both were full participants in practice this week, which puts their Monday status in play alongside everything else on this injury list.

Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.