The Washington Commanders suffered a big blow when starting running back Austin Ekeler was injured in their Week 2 matchup. What lies ahead for the team and veteran rusher?
Austin Ekeler Will Have to Work Back From Season-Ending Achilles Injury
ESPN’s John Keim reported on Saturday that Ekeler tore his Achilles and will miss the rest of the season. Typically, players with such injuries have a long road of recovery ahead of them.
With 5:50 remaining in his team’s 27-18 road loss to the Green Bay Packers, Ekeler suffered the non-contact injury while trying to run a route. After being helped to the sideline by athletic trainers, he was brought to the locker room on a cart and ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Ekeler carried the ball eight times for 17 yards in that contest. He also reeled in two passes for seven yards. Ekeler was the Commanders’ top option at running back and also served as the team’s third-down back. In a dozen games a campaign ago, Ekeler piled up 367 rushing yards and another 366 receiving yards.
The Commanders also roster tailbacks Jacory Croskey-Merrit, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez was inactive for Washington’s initial two outings but impressed during training camp and the preseason.
“It’s definitely hard, very hard actually, because Austin, he’s one of the great leaders on this team,” Croskey-Merritt said Thursday night after Ekeler was injured. “I just learned a lot from him day by day, so it’s definitely hard.”
Washington added former Arizona Cardinals tailback Chase Edmonds after the severity of Ekeler’s injury was revealed. Edmonds has 333 career carries for 1,551 yards and nine touchdowns.
Brian Robinson Jr., who rushed for a career-high 799 yards a season ago, was sent to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick last month. Robinson has 53 yards on 15 carries so far through two games this season. He finished each of his first three seasons as a pro with at least 700 yards, a level of production the Commanders might regret shipping off.
Ekeler was a second-team All-Pro kick returner last season, his first playing for Dan Quinn’s squad. He also missed time during that campaign due to concussions. He’ll be a free agent this offseason.
Ekeler started his professional odyssey as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers, supplanting Melvin Gordon and eclipsing 1,000 yards from scrimmage four times. He’s third all-time in franchise history behind LaDainian Tomlinson and Paul Lowe. Ekeler inked an $11 million deal with the Commanders in March 2024 after a pedestrian 2023 go-round.
