Washington Commanders, Niners Without Key Pieces in Week Six

The Washington Commanders will be without a handful of notable pieces in week six.

That includes running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who head coach Dan Quinn said on Saturday will miss his first game of the season. Croskey-Merritt was inactive in practice this week due to a groin injury after being limited one week ago, adding a hiccup for the Commanders' rushing attack. Jeremy McNichols has returned to practice with a chance for the veteran to stockpile the rotation in week six alongside Rachaad White and Austin Ekeler.

Croskey-Merritt currently leads the team with 239 rushing yards, while he and quarterback Jayden Daniels have accounted for all four of the team's rushing touchdowns through the first five games of the 2026 season.

The former seventh round pick is one of a handful of inactives in week six after Quinn ruled out defensive end Charles Omenihu, outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste and quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Omenihu will now miss his second consecutive game with what has been ruled a groin/ankle injury, while Mariota is inactive as he recovers from his MCL sprain suffered in the week four loss.

Jean-Baptiste, meanwhile, is set to miss his second game of the season with a pectoral injury. Quinn revealed his injury coming out of the week five tie against the New York Giants, adding a blow to the edge rusher depth ahead of week six.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, meanwhile, was excluded from Saturday's injury inactive with the veteran joining the rest of the team on the cross country trip to San Francisco. Diggs missed his first game as a Commander after a hamstring injury sidelined him in week five, though whether he officially returns in week six remains to be seen. Final decisions on McNichols, Diggs and others will be made on Monday.

The Commanders could also get good news on defense after Quinn revealed earlier in the week that cornerback Trey Amos and safety Nick Cross were expected to return for a full week of practice ahead of the primetime matchup. The duo joined Diggs, safety Percy Butler, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, McNichols, safety Tyler Owens and interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick as questionable on Saturday's injury report.

Linebacker Jordan Magee, who was activated off injured reserve earlier in the week, also joined the group with a questionable destination.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are expected to be without defensive end Nick Bosa in week six, though the status of both wide receiver Mike Evans and fullback Kyle Juszczyk remains up in the air.

The Commanders, owning a 1-3-1 record ahead, will look to play spoiler against the San Francisco 49ers when the two teams meet on Monday Night Football in week six. This marks the first of two games currently scheduled on Monday Night Football for Washington, while they will look to secure their first win against the Niners in San Francisco since 2004.