Austin Ekeler
Patrick Smith/Getty
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 10: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball in the first quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Northwest Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
On Thursday night, Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler was running a routine flat route in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers, like he’s done thousands of times before. The Commanders were down multiple scores and attempting a late comeback, and Ekeler’s speed and elusiveness in the open field was needed.
However, this time, he pulled up short. As Ekeler was heading downfield to get open and give Commanders QB Jayden Daniels an option. But he stopped, pulling up and limping until he sat on the turf after the play. Immediately, everyone watching knew what likely happened, based on how Ekeler stepped, how his calf muscle reacted, and how we’ve seen this type of injury so many times before.
As we all expected, an MRI confirmed the worst-case scenario: Ekeler suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday. Thursday night, Ekeler was quickly ruled out of the game with an Achilles injury, and he was seen heading into the locker room on a cart with a towel over his head. Now we have the official word, and Ekeler will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
The Washington Commanders’ Running Back Depth Takes a Hit
Austin Ekeler
Elsa/GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 14: Zack Baun #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles tackles Austin Ekeler #30 of the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Prior to the season, the Commanders felt so good about their running back depth that they traded multi-year starter Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers to recoup some value in a loaded room. Robinson was the starter and Ekeler mixed in heavily as well, but they had some young players they really liked.
Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, a rookie seventh-round pick out of Arizona, quickly become a fan and coaching staff favorite, giving Washington confidence in trading Robinson away. Plus, they had Chris Rodriquez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols, two explosive backs who could step up when needed.
Now that Ekeler is out for the year, however, a lot more will be asked of Croskey-Merritt. As capable as he is, he’s still a rookie, and that’s a risk for a team looking to return to the NFC Championship Game. Plus, no one else on the roster can replicate what Ekeler offers the Commanders in the passing game.
Austin Ekeler’s Career is a Decorated One
An undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado back in 2017, Ekeler spent his first seven seasons in the league with the Chargers before coming over to Washington in 2024. While he never had over 1,000 yards rushing in a single season, he became known for producing on the ground and through the air, becoming a weapon in the passing game. He was named a second-team All-Pro as a kick returner with the Commanders in 2024 and his versatility is always on full display.
His best season came in 2022, when he had 915 rushing yards and 722 receiving yards, with 18 total touchdowns. Ekeler was named to the NFL Top 100 in 2022 and 2023, being recognized by his peers as one of the best in the league.
Ekeler is 30 years old and will turn 31 before next season. At that age, running back careers tend to decline, and Achilles tears are particularly difficult for running backs to return from. If this is the end of Ekeler’s career, it was a great one. But don’t count him out yet — he’s one of the toughest players in football.