Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Minimal usage in Week 6 loss
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Ekeler logged a three-yard carry and caught both of his passes for four yards during the Commanders' 23-17 loss to the 49ers on Monday.
Despite the absence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin, IR), Ekeler was hardly involved in the Commanders' offensive game plan. He was on the field for only seven of Washington's 67 offensive snaps, well behind Rachaad White (45) and even less than the returning Jeremy McNichols (12). Even with Croskey-Merritt out for at least the next three games, It's hard to envision a path to consistent playing time for Ekeler following the Commanders' Week 7 bye, with the team's next contest taking place in Week 8 against the Eagles on Sunday, Nov 1.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Cleared for Week 6
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Ekeler (chest) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's game against the 49ers.
Ekeler was limited in all practice all week due to a chest injury, but he's done enough to fade an injury tag for Monday Night Football. With Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) already ruled out, Ekeler and Rachaad White are both expected to lead the Commanders' backfield for Week 6 against a 49ers defense that has given up only three rushing touchdowns across five regular-season games.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Remains limited Friday
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Ekeler (chest) remained limited in Friday's practice.
The Commanders are dealing with injuries throughout the backfield, as Jacory Croskey-Merritt (foot) was DNP for a second straight day while Rachaad White continues to work back to 100 percent from his shoulder injury. Jeremy McNichols (quadriceps) also remains on injured reserve, though he's practicing fully this week. In two games back with Washington, Ekeler has rushed seven times for 28 yards, adding two catches for 26 yards on three targets.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Dealing with chest issue
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Ekeler was a limited practice participant Thursday due to a chest injury.
Among those in the Commanders backfield, Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) didn't practice to begin Week 6 prep, Ekeler endured practice restrictions, and Jeremy McNichols (quadriceps, IR) was full, leaving just Rachaad White as a healthy body on the active roster. Since re-signing with Washington in late September, Ekeler has received nine touches across two games, which he turned into 54 yards from scrimmage. If Croskey-Merritt ends up sitting out Monday's contest at San Francisco and McNichols remains on injured reserve, Ekeler, assuming he's active, will be in line for increased work alongside White.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Rachaad White (shoulder) practiced Wednesday in a non-contact jersey, and we'll see if he can return in Week 5 against the Giants after missing Week 4 against the Colts in London. Ekeler made his 2026 debut against the Colts and had four carries for 29 yards and one catch for 11 yards on two targets, and he could work in tandem with Jacory Croskey-Merritt in Week 5. Jayden Daniels (elbow) being back should help the Commanders, and Croskey-Merritt might have a good outing as well. If White is out then I would use Ekeler as a flex, and the Giants have allowed Javonte Williams, Kyren Williams and Tony Pollard to each score at least 6.2 PPR points with just their receiving totals alone.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Week 5 Waiver Priority List
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Ekeler had four carries for 29 yards and one catch for 11 yards on two targets in his first game back with Washington in Week 4 against the Colts in London. Rachaad White (shoulder) missed Week 4, and he could return in Week 5 against the Giants. But Washington might want to give Ekeler a bigger role with the way Jacory Croskey-Merritt has struggled, especially if White remains out. It could be messy, but Ekeler is worth stashing in deeper leagues for up to 5 percent of your remaining FAAB.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Tallies 40 yards in 2026 debut
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Ekeler turned four carries into 29 yards and added an 11-yard catch on two targets during the Commanders' 30-13 loss to the Colts on Sunday in London.
Ekeler signed with the Commanders on Tuesday and was immediately involved in the offense Sunday due to the absence of Rachaad White (shoulder). Ekeler's 17 offensive snaps were second-most on the Commanders behind Jacory Croskey-Merritt (29) and ahead of rookie Kaytron Allen (12). However, despite logging only four carries, Ekeler's 29 rushing yards were most among Washington's running backs and second on the team behind QB Marcus Mariota (35). Given Ekeler's efficiency in limited touches, he could remain involved in the gameplan for Week 5 against the Giants even if White is cleared to return.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Officially signs on with Washington
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Ekeler signed a one-year contract with the Commanders on Tuesday, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.
Ekeler will make his return to Washington for a third season, after his 2025 campaign came to an end after just two games due to a torn Achilles tendon. The 31-year-old received full medical clearance in the spring but remained unsigned throughout the preseason and first three weeks of the regular season before Washington added him back to a running-back room that includes Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rachaad White and Kaytron Allen. With White having established himself as the Commanders' top pass-catching/change-of-pace option out of the backfield, Ekeler may struggle to carve out a consistent role on offense.
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Austin Ekeler: Works out for Panthers Wednesday
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Ekeler worked out for the Panthers on Wednesday, Mike Kaye of ESPN.com reports.
Jonathon Brooks (core) was placed on injured reserve, so the Panthers have a void to fill in the backfield. While things went well for Ekeler on Wednesday, he did not sign a contract with Carolina. The veteran has appeared in 117 regular-season games with the Chargers and Commanders throughout his career, amassing 4,765 yards and 43 touchdowns off 1,081 carries and adding 480 catches (604 targets) for 4,288 yards and 30 touchdowns. The door may still be open for Ekeler as it relates to a potential deal with the Panthers, though he likely won't have a prominent role even if he does sign with the team.
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Austin Ekeler: Works out for Carolina
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Ekeler is set to work out for the Panthers on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
After suffering a torn Achilles in Week 2 of last season while playing with the Commanders, Ekeler received full medical clearance for football activities in the spring but remained unsigned throughout training camp and the preseason. However, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting that Jonathon Brooks is scheduled to undergo core-muscle surgery Wednesday and is likely to miss six weeks, the Panthers will see how the 31-year-old Ekeler looks post-Achilles injury. If he fares well during his workout, Ekeler could be signed to the 53-man roster or practice squad and would potentially give the Panthers a change-of-pace option to complement Chuba Hubbard for the duration of Brooks' absence.
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Austin Ekeler: Attains medical clearance
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Ekeler (Achilles) recently received full medical clearance for football activities and intends to continue his playing career in 2026, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Ekeler's 2025 season with the Commanders came to an end in Week 2, when he tore his right Achilles tendon on a non-contact play. The veteran running back underwent surgery soon thereafter and has apparently made a smooth recovery. While he's set to turn 31 years old in May, Ekeler isn't far removed from being one of the NFL's top pass-catching backs and could offer some utility in a depth role. Ekeler remains a free agent, but now that he's been given a clean bill of health, his market could pick up as teams look to fill out their running-back rooms prior to training camp.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Officially on injured reserve
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The Commanders officially placed Ekeler (Achilles) on injured reserve Monday.
Ekeler went down while running a route in the flat in the fourth quarter of Thursday's loss in Green Bay. After undergoing the necessary tests, a torn Achilles was confirmed, wiping out the rest of his 2025 campaign. Rookie seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt is expected to take on a good portion of the early-down work, but Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also are on hand to mix in.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Torn Achilles confirmed
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Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles during Thursday's 27-18 loss to the Packers, an MRI confirmed Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Ekeler went down with a non-contact right Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter and was carted to the locker room. His 2025 season is over after he posted 14 carries for 43 yards and five receptions for 38 yards. The 30-year-old running back is expected to be placed on injured reserve at some point in the next week. The Commanders will move forward with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez in the backfield. Ekeler will be an unrestricted free agent in March.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Set for imaging Friday
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Ekeler is set to undergo an MRI on Friday, but the Commanders believe that he suffered a torn Achilles, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Ekeler suffered a non-contact right Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's loss to the Packers. If Friday's tests confirm the team's fears, Ekeler will be sidelined for the rest of the season. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt likely will see an increased workload, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez vying for depth roles.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Estimated as limited in practice
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Ekeler (shoulder) was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimate.
The Commanders held a walkthrough Monday on the heels of Sunday's 21-6 win over the Giants. In that contest, Ekeler logged 33 of a possible 70 snaps on offense, while carrying six times for 26 yards and catching all three of his targets for 31 yards. Now that he's managing a shoulder issue, however, Ekeler's status should be tracked ahead of Thursday night's game against the Packers. If he's available, Ekeler would be in line to continue to share backfield work with Jacory Croskey-Merritt (10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown Sunday) and Jeremy McNichols (four carries for 25 yards). Of the the trio, Ekeler was the only one to record a catch Week 1.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Nine touches in Week 1 win
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Ekeler rushed six times for 26 yards and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 21-6 win over the Giants.
Ekeler finished third on the team in rushing yards and third in receiving yards, working as a secondary option in the offense out of the backfield. Rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the rushing attack with 10 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown while Jeremy McNichols mixed in for 25 yards on four carries, but neither of those running backs had a catch Sunday. Ekeler's likely to play primarily in passing situations, and that role could yield greater dividends in games that require Washington to play catch-up, which may be the case on the road in Week 2 against the Packers on Thursday.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Sleeper RBs
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Ekeler should be the best Washington running back in Week 1 against the Giants, and we'll see what happens moving forward with the other guys in Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Even if one of those guys steps up, Ekeler will stay in his role as a change-of-pace rusher and work on passing downs. He did great against the Giants in Week 9 last season with 11 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown and three catches for 41 yards. Ekeler is worth using as a high-end flex in PPR, but he can be a flex option in all leagues given the matchup.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Resting for Week 1
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Ekeler won't play in Saturday's preseason game against Baltimore, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.
Ekeler and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt are the two running backs on Washington's list of players that won't participate. It's a sign they'll share work come Week 1 against the Giants, although there's also talk of Chris Rodriguez having a role, which might include short-yardage carries. The Commanders traded Brian Robinson to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick Friday, showing confidence in some combination of Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt, Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols to form a committee. Ekeler's receiving skills make his role the most secure, although he's on the downside of his career and has fumbled 18 times (including playoffs) in 63 games over the past four season.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Set to lead backfield?
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The Commanders likely will trade or release Brian Robinson, leaving Ekeler to split backfield work with some combination of Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols, according to Nicki Jhabvala of the New York Times.
The decision to move on from Robinson hints at confidence in Washington's backfield alternatives, although Robinson's non-guaranteed $3.4 million salary is also a factor. It remains to be seen if Ekeler will capture some of the work that went to Robinson last season, as there's been talk of Croskey-Merritt potentially getting a lot of carries and Rodriguez taking short-yardage work. Ekeler averaged 4.8 yards on 77 carries and 10.5 yards on 35 catches in the regular season last year, but he missed five games with injuries and fumbled three times (later fumbling a fourth time during the NFC Championship Game).
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Tough ending to solid season
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Ekeler finished the 2024 regular season with 77 carries for 367 yards and four touchdowns and 35 catches for 366 yards in 12 games, adding 34 touches for 173 yards in three playoff appearances.
Ekeler mostly played well in the first season of a two-year contract, but he suffered a pair of concussions along the way and then lost a fumble in the NFC Championship Game. His future in Washington is uncertain, as the team can add $3.46 million in cap space by releasing Ekeler this offseason. Regardless of how things play out with the Commanders, his days as a top fantasy asset appear numbered, with Ekeler now trying to continue his career as a backup/passing-down specialist. He'll turn 30 in May.
