The Washington Commanders may need more reinforcements in the running back room after Jeremy McNichols suffered a potentially season-ending foot injury on Sunday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles.
And the team has an easy path forward.
Washington has badly mismanaged its backfield situation this season, which currently consists of Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler as the only healthy options. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is on injured reserve, and Craig Reynolds is also on the practice squad.
Commanders should bring back Robert Henry Jr. after losing Jeremy McNichols
However, thanks to the Seattle Seahawks releasing Commanders' preseason star Robert Henry Jr., they might have a chance to fix one of their mistakes.
The undrafted rookie isn't a superstar, but he's what the Commanders need right now. Ekeler and White are both primarily passing-down backs, and Washington doesn't have an every-down rusher in its room without Croskey-Merritt.
Against the Miami Dolphins in the Commanders' preseason opener, Henry ran for 75 rushing yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. The first-year pro showed he can compete at the NFL level, and Washington wanted to keep him in the fold, initially signing him to the practice squad after he missed the 53-man cut.
The Seahawks poached Henry after losing both Zach Charbonnet and rookie first-round pick Jadarian Price to injuries, but he never played for the team.
Now, the Commanders have a chance to grab him back and potentially use him in a legitimate role.
Robert Henry Jr. could immediately help Commanders' banged-up backfield
The Commanders' backfield needs much more help than Henry. A healthy Croskey-Merritt would go a long way, but a potential trade for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has also been brought up as a fit for Washington.
In the immediate future, though, a reunion with Henry makes the most sense. He'd add some youth to the room, and he'd give Washington a more traditional back to balance out White and Ekeler.
Henry showed explosive potential during the preseason. He was also a highly productive college player at UTSA, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.
He certainly gives you higher upside than Reynolds, who Washington inexplicably kept over both him and sixth-rounder Kaytron Allen earlier this year.
Washington knows Henry and has a chance to correct the mistake of leaving him exposed. He knows the demands of offensive coordinator David Blough's scheme and knows the locker room culture, so it wouldn't take much to get back into the swing of things.
We'll see if general manager Adam Peters jumps on it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google