Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler is still viewed as a "key" piece of the offense, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Earlier this week, reports suggested that the Commanders were actively looking to find a trade partner for running back Brian Robinson Jr. During training camp and the opening weeks of the preseason, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has flashed immense upside and appears to be in the running to take the starting job over Robinson. Last season, Ekeler served as the primary third-down running back in the offense. While he missed five games, he was rather productive when on the field. During his first 10 games in D.C., Ekeler averaged a solid 12.3 PPR points per game with solid 5.1 YPC. Even if Robinson were to stay on the Commanders, Ekeler would likely have a significant role on passing downs. He is worth a look as a late-round depth RB as he could even carve out a more substantial role if Robinson were to be traded.
Aug 19, 2025 10:23 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler tallied just 32 all-purpose yards during their loss in the NFC Championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles. Ekeler also lost a fumble. The Commanders were playing from behind throughout most of the contest, putting their rushing attack out of the game plan. However, even when Ekeler was given the ball through the air, he could not perform. He caught five of his seven targets but tallied just 17 yards. His seven targets tied him the second-most on the team, only behind tight end Zach Ertz. Throughout the season, the 29-year-old operated primarily as a change-of-pace option in the Washington backfield. Entering Sunday, Ekeler posted a strong 10.3 yards per catch and a 4.8 yards per carry. Ekeler will likely remain in this role next season as he enters the final year of his contract.
Jan 26, 2025 6:46 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler should be viewed as a high-end flex option in DFS formats this weekend when he faces the Philadelphia Eagles. Last weekend, in their upset victory over the Detroit Lions, Ekeler ran the ball for 47 yards on six attempts. He caught all four of his targets for an additional 41 yards. Ekeler also saw four targets in the wild-card round. Even though Brian Robinson Jr. will continue to see the majority of carries on the ground, Ekeler should continue to have a role, especially on passing downs. The last time he faced the Eagles (Week 11), he caught eight of nine targets for 89 yards. If the Commanders fall behind in this contest, Ekeler should have a path to seeing a high volume of targets, which makes him a strong value play as an RB2/flex option in DFS competitions.
Jan 24, 2025 4:27 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler tallied 47 yards on six attempts during their victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Ekeler added 41 yards on four receptions in the receiving game. Ekeler flashed his breakaway speed all evening as his longest run went for 35 yards, and his reception went for 24 yards. Even though Ekeler was not as involved in the rushing attack, given the high-scoring affair, Ekeler was able to make a significant impact in the receiving game. Ekeler also saw four targets during their wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suggesting he has a prominent role in the team's passing attack. Ekeler carries RB2 upside heading into the NFC Championship match.
Jan 18, 2025 11:46 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler could have an increased role in a potential high-scoring affair against the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Ekeler returned from his four-game absence due to a concussion in Week 18. In this game, he tallied 32 total yards. Last weekend in Tampa Bay, he tallied a solid 27 yards on eight carries and brought in 26 yards on three receptions. Given Brian Robinson Jr.'s recent struggles, Ekeler has a viable path to being the top option in the backfield this weekend. In addition, given the projected 55.5-point total, the Commanders will need to rely on their passing attack, which should bode well for Ekeler, given his elite pass-catching abilities. Ekeler is a great value play as an RB2 in DFS competitions despite the tough matchup on paper.
Jan 16, 2025 5:14 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler tallied 27 yards on eight attempts during their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday evening. Ekeler also brought in three of his four targets for 26 yards. While Brian Robinson Jr. was deployed as the top option early on, Ekeler saw his role increase during the final quarter. On the final offensive drive of the game, Ekeler played the hero as he brought in a 19-yard reception, which set up Zane Gonzalez's game-winning field goal. Given Robinson's struggles in this game, fantasy managers should expect Ekeler to have an even more significant role in next weekend's game against the high-flying Detroit Lions. Ekeler should carry high upside in a projected high-scoring affair next weekend, given his skills as a pass catcher.
Jan 12, 2025 11:28 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler made his return from the injured reserve last weekend and carries solid receiving upside against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ekeler missed the previous four games due to a concussion. In his return last Sunday, Ekeler ran the ball three times for 12 yards and brought in both of his targets for 20 yards. Before his injury, Ekeler averaged a solid 12.3 PPR points per game. He saw 3.6 targets per game and averaged an impressive 11.1 yards per catch. The 29-year-old was typically deployed in passing downs but out-snapped the presumed starter Brian Robinson Jr. last weekend. Seeing the team deploy him as the lead option after missing four games is a positive sign. Despite facing a tough rushing defense in Tampa Bay, given his elite pass-catching ability, Ekeler could be in store for a productive evening given the hefty 50.5-point total this game carries. He is a high-upside RB2 target in DFS at a great value.
Jan 10, 2025 5:07 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler ran the ball three times for 12 yards. The running back added 20 yards on his two receptions. Ekeler missed the previous four games due to a concussion. While this victory helped the Commanders move up to a higher seed, they already secured a playoff spot and as a result, the team did not give Ekeler a heavy workload in his return. However, the 29-year-old performed well, especially in the receiving game which is a promising sign heading into the playoffs. During his first ten games of the season, Ekeler ran the ball seven times per game and saw just under four targets per game. During this stretch, he averaged a strong 66.0 total yards per game. If the Commanders find themselves in a high-scoring affair in the Wild Card round, Ekeler would have a path to being the top option out of the backfield, given his elite pass catching abilities.
Jan 5, 2025 4:26 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He had been listed as questionable but was widely expected to play after the Commanders activated him from injured reserve on Saturday. The 29-year-old spent the minimum of four games on injured reserve after suffering a scary head injury on special teams. He returns to his role as the No. 2 running back in Washington behind Brian Robinson Jr., but he'll still be able to carve out a significant workload. Through 11 games when healthy, Ekeler tallied 355 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. Notably, he has scored a receiving touchdown in every season except 2024, so he'll have one last chance to extend that streak on Sunday. Ekeler will rank as a mid-range RB3 thanks to his pass-catching upside and Robinson's recent struggles.
Jan 5, 2025 11:51 AM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) has been activated from injured reserve. He will play in Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. The 29-year-old missed the minimum of four games after suffering a serious concussion on a special teams play back in Week 12. He looked solid in a backup role when healthy, totaling 355 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and four touchdowns while operating as the Commanders' No. 2 running back behind Brian Robinson Jr. Ekeler remains a low-end RB3/FLEX play in his return to the field on Sunday.
Jan 4, 2025 4:13 PM EST
According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Ekeler has been on the injured reserve since suffering a concussion during their Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. However, Ekeler has been able to practice in full all week which suggests he has a good chance to return on Sunday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to kickoff as his return could shape up the Washington backfield. While sidelined, Brian Robinson Jr. has seen a significant uptick in work on passing downs. However, when Ekeler returns, fantasy managers should expect him to reclaim his third-down role. If Ekeler does play this weekend, Robinson should be downgraded to a low-end RB2.
Jan 3, 2025 4:40 PM EST
The Washington Commanders announced on Wednesday that they have opened the 21-day practice window for running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) to return from Injured Reserve. It means that Ekeler can resume practicing with the team on Wednesday and will be eligible to come off IR and play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. If the 29-year-old pass-catching back is going to play this weekend, he'll need to come off IR by Saturday. It's good news for Washington's backfield, which has seen Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. get more run alongside starter Brian Robinson Jr. since Ekeler landed on IR on Nov. 30. Ekeler had been a solid RB3/flex option in PPR leagues when healthy, but he'll be a much more shaky fantasy play in Week 18 if he returns due to a potential limited workload if the team eases him back in.
Jan 1, 2025 12:38 PM EST
According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) is trending the right way for a potential Week 18 return. The veteran running back has been sidelined since suffering a concussion during their Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. While he has been on the injured reserve, Brian Robinson Jr. has seen the vast majority of the snaps with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. operating as change-of-pace options. Before his injury, Ekeler was deployed as the top third down running back and averaged a solid 11.6 PPR points across his first 11 games in the DMV. He saw 3.5 targets per game and found the back of the end zone four times. Fantasy managers should continue to expect Brian Robinson Jr. to operate in his workhorse role during their Week 17 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Dec 24, 2024 2:57 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) said on Tuesday that he's still dealing with concussion symptoms from the team's Week 12 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. Ekeler does not remember walking off the field until getting into an ambulance to take a trip to the hospital. It's similar memory loss that he experienced after a Week 3 concussion he suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals. In addition to his concussion symptoms, he has neck pain, which led to the team putting him on Injured Reserve. Ekeler has yet to pass the concussion protocol but hopes to clear that hurdle soon and is staying positive through his recovery. With Ekeler not eligible to come off IR until the Week 18 regular-season finale, he effectively becomes useless to fantasy managers that have their championship matchups in Week 17.
Dec 3, 2024 10:38 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) was placed on the Injured Reserve list on Saturday. The veteran has played relatively well this season, amassing 355 yards and four touchdowns off 74 carries, adding 33 catches for 346 yards. While he hasn't been as productive as when he was with the Chargers, his absence is an issue for the Commanders, especially with Brian Robinson Jr. banged up throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Without Ekeler, Robinson should see more involvement in the offense. Jeremy McNichols will also have a chance to get more involved, although his presence on fantasy rosters should be only for insurance purposes, at least until he proves he has fantasy value.
Nov 30, 2024 4:17 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) will not suit up this weekend when the Washington Commanders host the Tennessee Titans. Ekeler suffered this concussion (his second of the season) during last weekend's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Before exiting the game tallied 22 yards on nine rushing attempts. Ekeler has enjoyed a solid debut campaign in the DMV, as he has averaged 11.6 PPR points per game, operating primarily as a third-down option. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Brian Robinson Jr. to see the majority of snaps, while Jeremy McNichols could mix in as a change-of-pace option. Even though the Titans have allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs, Robinson could have top-12 upside, given the increased workload.
Nov 29, 2024 4:13 PM EST
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) will miss the first practice of Week 13 preparation on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, Ekeler will not be out there with the rest of the team on Wednesday after suffering a concussion late in the Week 12 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The 29-year-old has several more days to clear the league's concussion protocol, but as things stand now, fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Ekeler to face the Tennessee Titans this Sunday. Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) was also injured on Sunday, but he will practice on Wednesday. Jeremy McNichols was a popular waiver-wire pickup this week with both Robinson and Ekeler injured, as he'd be line to serve as the team's lead back if neither RB is active. Chris Rodriguez Jr. would also have a role if both B-Rob and Ekeler cannot go against the Titans.
Nov 27, 2024 12:52 PM EST
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that scans on running back Austin Ekeler's head were good, but he is in the league's concussion protocol after getting injured late in the upset loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Commanders' backfield was beat up in Week 12, as Brian Robinson (ankle) also left twice. Depending on the availability of both B-Rob and Ekeler for the team's Week 13 contest versus the Tennessee Titans, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. could be thrust into significant roles. The 29-year-old Ekeler failed to take advantage of Robinson's injury on Sunday, as he had 11 touches for just 24 yards against Dallas. We'll keep a close eye on the status of Washington's RBs this week, with Ekeler ultimately needing clearance from an independent neurologist later in the week in order to play on Sunday.
Nov 25, 2024 3:49 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) didn't return to Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. There were only seconds left on the clock. However, the game ended with Ekeler exiting due to a concussion. According to head coach Dan Quinn, the veteran will undergo further testing. But with Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) and Ekeler both banged up in Week 12, there's a chance both players may miss the Week 13 meeting with the Titans. If so, Jeremy McNichols would likely handle most of the work out of the backfield.
Nov 24, 2024 5:42 PM EST
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (undisclosed) left Sunday's game with an undisclosed injury. Ekeler sustained this injury on a kickoff return in the final minutes. After taking the hit, the running back remained on the field for some time but was able to walk off with assistance from the training staff. Before the injury, Ekeler carried the ball nine times for 22 yards and caught two of his three targets for three yards. With Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) leaving the game twice, Ekeler saw most of the snaps for a majority of the afternoon. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status heading into a Week 13 tilt against the Tennessee Titans. If he happens to miss time, Jeremy McNichols could see a significant increase in snaps.
Nov 24, 2024 5:07 PM EST
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