Ekeler took eight carries for 27 yards and caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 23-20 win at Tampa Bay. Ekeler's 11 touches and 47 percent snap share put him slightly behind Brian Robinson, who had 10 carries for 16 yards and four catches for 22 yards (five targets) while playing 53 percent of snaps. Neither RB found much room against a tough Tampa Bay run defense, and they'll now face another one of the NFC's top run-stuffing teams -- at least on paper -- when they head to Detroit in the divisional round. The Lions probably aren't as difficult to run on as many statistics suggest, as they've lost a slew of defenders to season-ending injuries, including DE Aidan Hutchinson (leg) and DT Alim McNeill (knee).
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Status
ACTIVELatest Austin Ekeler news
Other Commanders Players
Birthdate
5/17/1995 (29)
Status
Active
HT/WT
5'9", 200 lbs
Birthplace
Lincoln, NE, USA
Position
RB
College
Western Colorado
Experience
8 seasons
Career History
Washington Commanders
2024-Present
(1 season)
Los Angeles Chargers
2017-2024
(7 seasons)
Ekeler took eight carries for 27 yards and caught three of four targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 23-20 win at Tampa Bay. Ekeler's 11 touches and 47 percent snap share put him slightly behind Brian Robinson, who had 10 carries for 16 yards and four catches for 22 yards (five targets) while playing 53 percent of snaps. Neither RB found much room against a tough Tampa Bay run defense, and they'll now face another one of the NFC's top run-stuffing teams -- at least on paper -- when they head to Detroit in the divisional round. The Lions probably aren't as difficult to run on as many statistics suggest, as they've lost a slew of defenders to season-ending injuries, including DE Aidan Hutchinson (leg) and DT Alim McNeill (knee).
Ekeler (concussion) rushed three times for 12 yards and caught both of his targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 23-19 win over the Cowboys. Ekeler returned from injured reserve to make his first appearance since Week 12. He reprised his role as the change-of-pace option behind Brian Robinson in Washington's backfield. Ekeler finishes the regular season with 77 carries for 367 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 35 catches for 366 yards on 41 targets in 12 appearances. The Commanders will go on the road in the wild-card round against either the Rams or Buccaneers.
The Commanders activated Ekeler (concussion) from injured reserve Saturday, and he doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Dallas. Since he was designated for return from IR on Wednesday, Ekeler put together three straight full practices and entered the weekend listed as questionable for Week 18 action. In conjunction with activating him Saturday, the team took him off the injury report, thereby paving the way for his first appearance since he sustained a concussion Week 12 against the Cowboys. At the very least, Ekeler should take on a pass-catching role out of Washington's backfield alongside lead runner Brian Robinson, which likely will relegate Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez to lesser roles than they've had in recent outings.
Ekeler (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Dallas, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. The Commanders designated Ekeler to return from injured reserve Wednesday, at which point he logged the first of three consecutive full practices. He'll need to be activated from IR on Saturday in order to play in the regular-season finale. If that happens, it'll likely mean reduced workloads for Jeremy McNichols and/or Chris Rodriguez, and it's also possible Ekeler would cut into Brian Robinson's usage.
Ekeler (concussion) was a full practice participant Thursday. Ekeler remains on injured reserve due to the concussion he suffered late in a Week 12 matchup with the Cowboys, but his ability to log back-to-back uncapped sessions to begin Week 18 prep implies he's closing in on gaining clearance from an independent neurologist. He'll have to do just that, and then the Commanders will need to activate him from IR by Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, in order for him to have a chance to play Sunday at Dallas.
Ekeler (concussion) was a full participant in his return to practice Wednesday. After being designated for return from the injured reserve earlier Wednesday, Ekeler took the practice field for the first time since Week 12, and his lack of restrictions indicate that he's likely cleared concussion protocol. Ekeler may still need to get back in playing shape after missing the Commanders' last four games, and even if he's added back to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Cowboys, he may be in store for just a small role out of the backfield. A win this Sunday will earn Washington the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs and a first-round matchup with the Rams or Buccaneers, while a loss could drop Washington to the No. 7 seed -- if Green Bay beats Chicago -- and would set the Commanders up for a more challenging wild-card round matchup with the Eagles.
The Commanders have opened the the 21-day practice window for Ekeler, who was placed on IR on Nov. 30 due to a concussion. It remains to be seen if Ekeler will be activated ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cowboys, but at a minimum the veteran running back will be able to get some practice reps in prior to Washington's upcoming playoff run. If Ekeler is active versus Dallas, he'd probably be eased back into the mix, however, with Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also available to handle Week 18 backfield reps.
Washington head coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that it's "absolutely possible" for Ekeler (concussion) to return from injured reserve before the season ends, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Ekeler will miss his fourth straight game this Sunday against the Falcons, but he'll be eligible to resume practicing beginning next week. Though Quinn didn't confirm that Ekeler will be ready to do so, the veteran running back looks like he at least has a chance to be activated for the Week 18 game in Dallas, or in advance of the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Commanders have been leaning on Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez as the backup options behind starter Brian Robinson while Ekeler has been sidelined for the past three contests.
Ekeler said Tuesday that he's still dealing with concussion symptoms and neck pain and remains in the league's concussion protocol, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports. Furthermore, Ekeler said he doesn't remember walking off the field or anything until getting in the ambulance to go to the hospital when he was concussed on Nov. 24 against the Cowboys. The veteran running back also states he had memory loss following his Week 3 concussion earlier in the season. All of these symptoms led to Ekeler's placement on injured reserve ahead of Week 13, sidelining him until at least Week 18. Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez are set to handle backfield duties while Ekeler is out.