Austin

Ekeler

An MRI confirmed that Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles in Thursday’s game against the Packers. The 30-year-old running back will miss the remainder of the season. Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols figure to handle the running back duties for the Commanders going forward with Chris Rodriguez now as the third running back active.

Austin Ekeler suffered a non-contact lower-leg injury on Thursday that is believed to be a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture. He has not yet undergone an MRI, but as Rapoport notes, “it feels like everyone knows the results.” Croskey-Merritt has minimal experience in the passing game, so journeyman RB Jeremy McNichols will likely get the first shot at handling passing down duties. As evidenced by his first two NFL games, Croskey-Merritt’s weekly performance can be impacted by game script, operating largely in an early-down role. That said, he should at least see more opportunities on those downs with Ekeler sidelined, and Croskey-Merritt notably converted a third-and-short carry on Thursday night.

Ekeler will undergo imaging Friday to confirm whether there’s structural damage. The 30-year-old looked visibly upset after walking off following the injury, and it would be a surprise if his 2025 campaign isn’t over. Jacorey Croskey-Merritt will almost assuredly be the starting running back going forward, with Jeremy McNichols operating as his backup. This could also lead to more touches in the backfield from Deebo Samuel, as well, and it’s possible the Commanders will look at the trade market for a potential replacement.

Ekeler picked up the injury while trying to make a cut, and looked distraught when he made his way back to the bench. His status for Week 3 against the Raiders is very much up in the air, and it seems more likely than not that Jacorey Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols will handle the rushing attempts for that game against Las Vegas.

Ekeler popped up on the injury report with a shoulder issue earlier this week and was limited for all three practices. It looks like that was all maintenance as he doesn’t have an injury status heading into Thursday’s game. Ekeler earned six carries and three catches in Week 1, ceding 10 carries to rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt. Even a minor shoulder issue should keep a ceiling on how much work Ekeler sees, relegating him to the RB4 ranks for Week 2.

They conducted walkthroughs both days and the report is an estimation. Ekeler didn’t appear on the Week 1 report and did see noticeably fewer snaps in the second half against the Giants, so it is possible that it contributed to less Ekeler down the stretch. We’d still expect him to suit up for Week 2, perhaps with a role more similar to the one he had in the second half.

Ekeler saw nine total opportunities in the game, with seven of those looks coming in the first half. The veteran running back drew the start for the Commanders on Sunday and was rather efficient with his touches (6.3 YPT), but he played backup to rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the second half, with one carry to Croskey-Merritt’s six. Ekeler should continue to have a role in the passing game, as his age and injury history have long foreshadowed a third-down role for him in 2025. Croskey-Merritt’s performance on Sunday isn’t going to do anything to change that opinion. Ekeler will have some PPR upside in Week 2 against the Packers, but it would be surprising if he drew the start on Thursday night.

The Commanders’ trading Robinson felt like a lock after it was announced last week that the team was shopping the fourth-year back. A day later, Robinson and the Commanders mutually agreed to sit him in the team’s preseason game against the Bengals, and now he’ll be on his way to the Bay Area to help a depleted Niners backfield. Robinson rushed for 799 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, but wasn’t deemed a scheme fit by the season’s end. The selection of Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, who has impressed in camp, has made Robinson expendable, and a now valuable addition to the Niners. He should immediately slot in as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey, but it seems unlikely that he will earn much work if McCaffrey sees his normal workload. Robinson is a solid between-the-tackles grinder who has averaged 4.1 YPC for his career. He could make for a decent handcuff in deeper leagues if McCaffrey were ever to miss time.

Beat reporter Ben Standig thankfully posed the question with fantasy managers in mind. Quinn complimented Rodriguez’s short-area tackle-breaking ability because it suits the Commanders’ “untraditional” tactic of not using a lead blocker in short-yardage situations. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is still in the hunt for lead back duties but if Rodriguez is set to assume short-yardage duties while Austin Ekeler plays on passing downs, the starter could be left with empty calorie touches between the 20s. Croskey-Merritt is a talented, young player but keep in mind, a wide range of outcomes is in play. Rodriguez makes for a worthwhile bench stash given Quinn’s comments.

As Brian Robinson trade rumors circulate ahead of the regular season, and as rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt gains steam as a potential lead back in the run-first Washington offense, Ekeler, 30, should remain the team’s primary pass-catching backfield option who could cut into Croskey-Merritt’s workload early in the season, along with Chris Rodriguez. Robinson was held out of Monday night’s preseason game against the Bengals. JCM and Rodriguez shined against Cincinnati; the rookie rumbled for 46 yards and a score on 11 attempts. Ekeler in 2024 led the Commanders backfield with 35 receptions for 366 yards. He could have some value in deeper PPR formats this season if Robinson is traded away.