Loser No. 2
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - Commanders RB
Something seems off about running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt's early Year 2. After a sensational rookie surge that almost nobody saw coming, things have tailed off dramatically this time around. And even though the alarm bells shouldn't be ringing too loudly just yet, it's certainly worth monitoring.
Croskey-Merritt had an early highlight with a 35-yard catch-and-run, but his ground game was poor again. He gained just 15 rushing yards on nine carries, failing to average even two yards per rush. And when the Commanders had to chase the game, he became an afterthought.
The Commanders still believe in Croskey-Merritt, who proved what he could do last season when confidence is high. But he seems a little devoid of that right now, and the signing of Austin Ekeler only raises the stakes.
If Croskey-Merritt cannot pick things up as the season goes on, running back could be high on Washington's list of priorities next year.
Winner No. 2
Rasul Douglas - Commanders CB
With Mike Sainristil firmly in the doghouse after a disappointing start to the season, the Commanders once again relied heavily on veteran cornerback Rasul Douglas to come through when it counted. His Week 4 performance was arguably his best since joining Washington this offseason.
Douglas might be a little slower these days, but he can still get receivers off their spots in press coverage. He is a superb tackler and anticipates things extremely well. The West Virginia product put this on full display against the Indianapolis Colts.
The defensive back picked off Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. Douglas made several key stops, including an eye-catching third-down tackle. It wasn't enough to help the Commanders win, but it should keep him involved when Trey Amos returns from injured reserve.
What that means for Sainristil's role remains to be seen, but the Commanders clearly trust Douglas more right now. And for good reason.
Loser No. 3
Tress Way - Commanders P
Tress Way has been the model of consistency for over a decade. The veteran punter has become part of Washington's fabric, providing leadership and stability when everything around him was crumbling.
Unfortunately, this was not Way's best day at the office.
The Commanders lost the battle for field position. Some frustrating penalties didn't exactly help, but Way's lack of distance on his punts was concerning throughout.
Fortunately, there isn't much to worry about with Way. He's produced enough over the years to make this a blip rather than the start of anything more concerning. But with the three-time Pro Bowler stating before the campaign that this will probably be his last season before retirement, the Commanders need to start thinking about the long-term plan.
Whether that's with a veteran free agent next spring or someone from the college ranks, Way must be replaced effectively. And despite this subpar Week 4 outing, that will be easier said than done.
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