Croskey-Merritt's 105-yard rushing performance gives Commanders hope for future

Jacory Croskey-Merritt put on an impressive display of speed, power and finesse Thursday in Washington's 30-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The 24-year-old rookie ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, including an electrifying 72-yard jaunt in the third quarter that brought the Commanders to 24-17. Although Washington never could make up the deficit, Croskey-Merritt provided hope that the team next year will be able to provide running support for franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.

“I just feel like I got to keep growing,” Croskey-Merritt said, “I'm thankful to have this team around, especially in my running back room. They keep me going. I feel like it's a growing process for me every day.”

The Commanders (4-12) have lost nine of 10 and long ago were eliminated from postseason contention. But next year, with Daniels healthy and Croskey-Merritt working with a year of NFL experience under his belt, things just might be a whole lot better.

If there was any question about Croskey-Merritt's breakaway speed, all doubt was lifted when he took off with the ball in his hand and 72 yards of turf lying in front of him.

“I saw daylight and I was like, ‘This is my chance to show when it’s an open field, I can take it the distance,” the seventh-round draft pick said. “It worked out. It worked out perfect.”

He certainly made an impression on Washington coach Dan Quinn.

“Finding the end zone, that's a big deal in the long run,” Quinn said. “Getting outside and finishing. I've also seen him grow a lot in the knowledge of the game, the game plan.”

On a day that 39-year-old quarterback Josh Johnson started in place of the injured Daniels and Marcus Mariota, the most notable player on Washington's offense was Croskey-Merritt, who eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the second time this season.

“He goes out every day to get better,” Johnson said of Croskey-Merritt. “I'm so happy that he got to have his moment. It's great that people get to see his talents,, and he showcased them well.”

Croskey-Merritt was just 8 years old when Johnson made his NFL debut. Making his first start since 2021, Johnson turned back the clock with a solid performance that extended past simply handing the ball to Croskey-Merritt and watching him run.

Johnson went 15 for 23 for 198 yards and no turnovers. That was enough to help Washington rally from an early 21-3 deficit to get within a touchdown on three different occasions.

“We just had a couple of plays here and there that we left on the field,” Johnson said. “It hurts.”

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