Who Should I Start? Austin Ekeler or Matthew Golden

Saturday, September 13, 11:55 AM

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles during Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Ekeler injured his ankle on the game's final drive while stepping back awkwardly. The lead back for Washington through the first two weeks, Ekeler totaled 14 carries for 43 yards and added five receptions for 38 yards. With 2024 starter Brian Robinson Jr. already traded, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt will now step into the starting role. Ekeler's contract expires after this season, making the injury an even bigger blow for the former star running back.

Wednesday, September 10, 5:23 PM

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (ankle) was a limited participant on Monday with an ankle injury, but put in two full practices to come off the injury report as the Packers host the Commanders in Week 2. Golden caught both of his targets for 16 yards on a day where the Packers' passing game wasn't too busy in their 27-13 victory over the Lions. Quarterback Jordan Love only needed 22 pass attempts to dispatch Detroit, and it was more of the same dating back to the post-bye Packers from 2024 as they opted to run the ball more than pass. The lack of passing volume from Green Bay hampers the upside of some of the passing game's weapons, like Golden. That said, Golden does have massive upside in this offense, and the Packers spent a first-round pick on his services, so Golden's offensive involvement will increase game by game. For fantasy, consider Golden an upside-laden flex play for Week 2.