One Commanders rookie may have more responsibilities this week after the latest report revealed an injury to a key starter
The Washington Commanders battled it out against the New York Giants in a classic NFC East matchup that's always as physical as it gets. The team came out on top with a 21-6 win, and now they have to hit the road for a quick turnaround against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.
The travel time and lack of rest might hurt the chances of the team being fully healthy on Thursday, and the first injury report showed that one player got dinged up, and one standout from Sunday might get even more reps.
Austin Ekeler popped up on the injury report, and we might see even more Bill Croskey-Merritt if the Commanders don't want to push the injury this early in the year.
The disadvantage of a short week
Nobody likes a short week, but luckily, the Commanders are doing it now, and not during a long stretch before their bye week. Still, though, the turnaround is rough after any game, and a couple of players get knicked up. The team had a walkthrough today, but they released an injury report that reflects what would've happened if there had been a practice today, and Ekeler would've been limited with a shoulder injury.Now, Ekeler did start at running back and had some big plays, especially in the receiving game, so I'd be surprised if they held him out, or if it's bad enough to miss time, but still, it's a long season, so no need to push it. He may just take fewer snaps than he did on Sunday, and switch counts with rookie Croskey-Merritt, who certainly made his presence felt in his debut.
Ekeler played on 33 snaps, while Croskey-Merritt was on the field for 23, so maybe they flip those numbers and let the rookie run loose this week.
The rookie stole the show
It didn't take long, and we all knew it was coming, but Croskey-Merritt, aka "Bill", has officially arrived and is living up to the hype. Ekeler had more snaps, but Croskey-Merritt finished with more yards as he gained 82 yards on 10 carries, and had the biggest run on the day that sealed the deal on a 42-yard run.
He did have more carries in the run game than Ekeler did, and there's no doubt he can handle an increased workload. The homerun ability is there in his runs, and that's been missing from the Commanders' backfield for a long time.
We will have to see how Ekeler progresses on the injury report this week, with the team doing light practices or just walkthroughs and their travels to Green Bay, but don't be surprised if we get more Croskey-Merritt on Thursday night.
Kuminga’ Clear Message Threatens Warriors, Curry’s Title Hopes
Jonathan Kuminga has made his intentions clear to the Golden State Warriors.
The 22-year-old forward has resisted the team’s latest offer — a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option for the second year — signaling that his future in the Bay Area remains uncertain.
Kuminga has balked at the structure of the proposed contract, which would force him to give up the leverage of a player option and the inherent no-trade clause tied to such a two-year offer.
“The only reason Kuminga hasn’t accepted this contract is because he truly doesn’t want to return to the Warriors,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported. “To change his mind … an understanding of what Kuminga wants will need to be at the forefront.”
Betting on Himself
Instead of committing to Golden State, Kuminga has threatened to sign the $7.9 million qualifying offer, giving him control over his immediate future and paving the way to unrestricted free agency next summer. Such a move, however, comes with risk. Accepting the one-year tender would provide little financial security should his role diminish or injury strike.
Still, Kuminga and his camp remain emboldened by interest across the league.
Multiple teams have shown a willingness to negotiate sign-and-trade scenarios, though Golden State has been firm in its asking price: at least one unprotected first-round pick and a rotation-ready player.
The Warriors have already rejected proposals from the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns..
According to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears, the Suns dangled Royce O’Neale, Nick Richards and all their available second-round picks alongside a four-year, $90 million contract framework for Kuminga. Sacramento first offered rookie Devin Carter, veteran forward Dario Saric and two second-round picks before upping the ante to guard Malik Monk and a protected first-round pick, tied to a three-year, $63 million deal.
The Milwaukee Bucks also explored possibilities, but talks stalled when Golden State asked for Bobby Portis, a favorite of coach Steve Kerr from their Team USA connection.
A Growing Divide
The negotiating gap remains significant.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Kuminga’s camp has stood firm, unwilling to consider any offer without a player option attached. Phoenix’s four-year, $90 million proposal with a player option in Year 4 remains the high-water mark.
“No Warriors offer to date has come close to the four years and roughly $90 million that Phoenix had been prepared to furnish him,” Fischer wrote.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater added that Kuminga’s representatives described Golden State’s current stance as treating the young forward like a “pawn.”
If Kuminga accepts the qualifying offer by the Oct. 1 deadline, the Warriors would lose valuable trade flexibility. A lower salary and the no-trade protections tied to the offer would make it difficult to recoup meaningful assets should they decide to move him.
Warriors’ Offseason on Hold
The stalemate has cast a shadow over the Golden State’s summer. The Warriors’ only confirmed move so far has been the addition of untested swingman Taevion Kinsey, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Kinsey, a G League regular, has yet to make his NBA debut.
League sources told multiple outlets the Warriors have interest in veteran free agents Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, but they are unlikely to finalize any significant deals until Kuminga’s situation is resolved.
For now, the Warriors face an uneasy balance: trying to keep one of their most promising young players in the fold while managing the financial constraints of a roster still built around Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
Kuminga’s clear message — and the Warriors’ stubborn refusal to resolve the impasse — threatens to derail not just their offseason but potentially their entire season and Curry’s remaining championship window.
