Austin Ekeler’s promising season with the Washington Commanders came to an abrupt halt during Thursday night’s matchup against Green Bay.
The veteran running back, who was expected to be a key fantasy football asset in his new uniform, suffered a devastating injury that has major implications for both Washington’s backfield and fantasy managers everywhere.
The injury’s non-contact nature made it particularly concerning for everyone watching. Fantasy football owners who invested in Ekeler will need to pivot quickly as his 2025 campaign has unfortunately come to an end.
Austin Ekeler Injury Update
Former Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler was expected to serve as the Commanders’ lead running back and pass catcher out of the backfield to start the season. Unfortunately, the veteran suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon against the Packers.
Austin Ekeler is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles after going down with a non-contact injury tonight vs. Packers, per @AdamSchefter
He will undergo imaging on Friday for confirmation. pic.twitter.com/TNBkDtwEVr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 12, 2025
The injury forces the team to lean heavily on 2025 seventh-round rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt and veterans Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Croskey-Merritt figures to get most of the early down work with McNichols taking on the pass-catching role and Rodriguez potentially taking short-yardage touches.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Ekeler Fantasy Outlook
Ekeler’s season ended on Thursday night by way of a torn Achilles at Lambeau, a brutal break for a 30-year-old who was once the apple of the eye of fantasy managers.
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It goes without saying that managers can cut ties; there’s no reason to tie up even an IR slot in redraft leagues, as this injury would require significant missed time for any player, never mind a running back with north of 1,500 career touches on his resume.
Croskey-Merrritt will get every opportunity to thrive in a two-down role. At the same time, McNichols figures to get the first crack at an “Ekeler” role that is much more important to the Commanders than fantasy managers.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
