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.
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Status
IR - Concussion - Concussion Expected Return: 2025-01-05Latest Austin Ekeler news
Birthdate
5/17/1995 (29)
Status
Injured Reserve
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 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.
Ekeler (concussion) was placed on injured reserve Saturday. This wasn't that surprising given Ekeler's history of concussions over his career, with the Week 12 concussion accounting for his second of the 2024 campaign. The veteran running back won't be eligible to return until Week 18, effectively ending his fantasy season. Jeremy McNichols figures to step in immediately as the pass-catching running back and has done well in that role in replacement of Ekeler, tallying nine touches for 74 yards and two touchdowns back in Week 4 against the Cardinals.
Ekeler (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports. Brian Robinson, on the other hand, has been cleared on the final injury report after upgrading to full practice participation Friday. Ekeler unsurprisingly didn't practice this week after suffering his second concussion of the season, but he stands a decent chance to avoid additional missed games with a bye coming up for Washington in Week 14.
Ekeler (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report. Ekeler's lack of activity just four days removed from suffering a concussion on a kickoff return this past Sunday against the Cowboys doesn't come as a surprise and leaves him on the outside looking in toward clearing league protocol ahead of Week 13 action. Ultimately, the Commanders may make a ruling Friday on his availability for Sunday's game versus the Titans. An absence for Ekeler likely would mean an elevated role for Brian Robinson if the latter is able to put an ankle injury behind him.
Ekeler (concussion) won't practice Wednesday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports. Head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Ekeler remains in concussion protocol after he suffered a head injury on a hard tackle during a kickoff return in the final minute of Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Cowboys. While he'll still have two more chances this week to make enough progress through the protocol to take part in practice, Ekeler doesn't appear to be trending toward playing this Sunday against the Titans. An Ekeler absence this weekend would open more snaps for back running backs Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez, who could see their roles grow even larger if lead back Brian Robinson (ankle) is also sidelined against the Titans.
Ekeler sustained a concussion during Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Cowboys, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports. Per Jhabvala, head coach Dan Quinn added that Ekeler -- who was injured on a kickoff return late in the contest -- will undergo further testing out of an abundance of caution. In addition to Ekeler sustaining a concussion Sunday, fellow running back Brian Robinson left the game with an ankle injury in the first half, returned and then left again. The status of both backs will thus be worth monitoring as next weekend's home tilt versus the Titans approaches.
Ekeler rushed twice for seven yards and secured eight of nine targets for 89 yards in the Commanders' 26-18 loss to the Eagles on Thursday night. He also returned two kickoffs for 59 yards and committed a fumble recovered by Washington. Ekeler was a non-factor on the ground after back-to-back games with double-digit rush attempts, as Brian Robinson was healthy and logged16 carries. However, Ekeler did finish as the team leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets, with all three figures also serving as season highs. Ekeler is likely to be a bit more involved in the ground attack and remain a key complementary target at minimum during a favorable Week 12 home matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Ekeler likely will return to a backup role with Brian Robinson (hamstring) set to play Thursday at Philadelphia, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Ekeler's workload was perhaps disappointing during Robinson's two-game absence -- 14 touches in each game -- but a trio of one-yard touchdowns got the job done for fantasy managers. With Robinson back in action, Ekeler is unlikely to continue his goal-line-TD binge but should take most of the snaps in passing situations while also subbing in for some carries.
Ekeler rushed the ball 13 times for 44 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Steelers. He added one reception on two targets for seven yards. Ekeler drew his second straight start due to Brian Robinson (hamstring) sidelined. Only one of his rush attempts went for double-digit yardage, though he made hay with a pair of one-yard touchdown runs. Ekeler was curiously uninvolved as a pass catcher, though that part of his game could return if Robinson can re-take the field in Week 11 against the Eagles, in turn pushing Ekeler back into a complementary role.