Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Jerome Ford

Sunday, January 26, 6:46 PM

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.

Friday, July 25, 3:52 PM

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that running back Jerome Ford (undisclosed) missed another training camp practice on Friday, but he's getting closer to returning to the field. Ford was able to work out earlier on the field with the athletic training staff, per Scott Petrak of The Elyria Chronicle Telegram. This is a situation of more urgency because of the fact that rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned while dealing with charges of domestic violence. The good news, though, is that the 25-year-old Ford's undisclosed injury is minor, and he should rejoin his teammates at practice soon. The former fifth-rounder had 813 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2023, but he took a step back last year with 104 carries for 565 yards and three TDs in 14 games. Ford is currently RotoBaller's RB53, but he could rise up draft boards if Judkins is handed down a suspension.