Austin

Ekeler

Not a good ending to Ekeler’s age-29 campaign, as he lost a back-breaking second half fumble. It was inexcusable ball security as Ekeler tried to get up after falling down. Forced to settle for just $1.2 million guaranteed in free agency, Ekeler did bounce back from his horrendous final season for the Chargers, getting his yards per carry back near 5.0 and his yards per catch over 10.0. He was limited to 12 games by a scary Week 12 concussion, but performed pretty much exactly as expected when healthy. Although Ekeler’s three-down days are long gone, the Commanders could decide he’s a third-down back worth retaining at his currently scheduled $3 million salary. That being said, Washington is in the driver’s seat there with Ekeler due no guaranteed money for 2025.

Ekeler watched Brian Robinson and Jeremy McNichols combine for three rushing touchdowns, all of which came at the goal line. The lack of touchdown upside or a touch ceiling makes Ekeler an underwhelming fantasy asset, but his efficiency can flip drives for Washington. Including the postseason, the former Charger is now averaging 6.6 yards per touch as a Commander. He will be a high-risk DFS play for the Conference Championship slate.

Ekeler was the best of Washington’s running backs tonight, but that’s not really saying that much. The veteran picked up some key first downs and also made some solid blocks that helped Washington sustain drives, but he’s no longer an explosive playmaker. Given how ineffective Brian Robinson Jr. was tonight, we could see Ekeler’s role grow next week against the Lions.

Ekeler returned to the Commanders’ lineup after four games out due to a concussion. He retains his duties as the primary receiving back and totaled five touches for 32 yards. Jayden Daniels will take many of the rushing opportunities while Brian Robinson is mixed in as the main rusher, but Ekeler has carved out a sizeable role this season. He finishes the regular season with 77 carries to 35 receptions in 12 games. Ekeler will be useful as the Commanders’ satellite back in the postseason.

Ekeler has been on the shelf for the previous four games but will miss the minimum with a concussion sustained in Week 12. The Commanders have said they will approach Week 18 like any other week as they look to avoid the No. 7 seed out of the NFC, but time, and game environment, will tell if they keep their starters on the field late in the contest should they be playing with a comfortable lead.

Ekeler was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week. He got in three full practices before being listed as questionable. He should be good to go for Week 18, but the Commanders have little to play for on Sunday. They secure the No. 6 seed with a win or a Green Bay loss but are already locked into a bottom-two seed regardless of the outcomes. They could be extra cautious with Ekeler’s return and hold him out another week anyway. He will be a risky RB4 bet if activated from IR ahead of Sunday’s game.

Speaking Monday on 106.7 The Fan’s Grant and Danny, Ekeler said when asked about a potential return for the Commanders’ playoff week, “This is one category it’s tough to talk about, just because you don’t want to say something and something else happens, so it’s kind of a week-to-week thing.” Ekeler wouldn’t go into any more detail regarding a potential return, but the team’s decision to designate him for return suggests he’ll have a good shot at returning at some point. A full practice on Wednesday keeps Week 18 on the table. The Commanders will have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve, but a Week 18 return may be too early for Ekeler, who suffered a brutal concussion in the team’s Week 12 loss to the Cowboys.

Ekeler has been on injured reserve after his second serious brain injury of the season, one that he said caused him to not remember walking off the field. It would be a boost to Washington’s passing game if Ekeler was able to return for Week 18 and the postseason.

“Ekeler doesn’t remember walking off the field or anything until getting into the ambulance going to the hospital. The veteran RB said he had similar memory loss after Week 3 concussion at Cincy,” writes The Athletic’s Ben Standig. Ekeler added: “Am I more susceptible to a third now that I’ve had two and the severity of mine? It’s a learning process for me because I’ve never had anything this bad and twice in the same season.” Ekeler will remain on injured reserve until Week 18 at the earliest. He’s talking like a man who isn’t sure he’ll come back even for a potential Commanders playoff game.

Ekeler will now miss the next four games after suffering a devastating concussion in Week 12, making him eligible to return for the season finale in Week 18 against the Cowboys. Brian Robinson will hold down the lead role in the backfield while Jeremy McNichols will likely see his involvement in the offense increased without Ekeler.