And one NFL analyst believes the seventh-round pick could be set for great things with more responsibilities on his shoulders. The Commanders lost Ekeler to a torn Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers. Jacory Croskey-Merritt gets glowing endorsement before first Commanders startHow much Croskey-Merritt plays is dependent on his pass blocking. It would also give the Commanders a legitimate long-term running back option to place alongside superstar quarterback Jayden Daniels. That's only going to grow if he thrives from a starting berth, starting in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders.