The Commanders designated Ekeler (concussion) for return from injured reserve Wednesday. the 21-day practice window for Ekeler, who was placed on IR on Nov. 30 due to a concussion.

The transaction opens a 21-day window wherein Ekeler can be evaluated for a return from IR, after the Commanders deactivated him Nov. 30. A decision on Ekeler's status for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cowboys hasn't bene made, but the veteran running back looks like he'll at least be able to get in some practice reps this week. If Ekeler ultimately gets the green light to play this weekend, he would probably be eased back into the mix. Washington also has Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez on hand to pick up reps out of the backfield in Week 18.

McNichols rushed once for five yards and caught two of three targets for five yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Falcons.

McNichols operated as the Commanders' No. 2 running back behind Brian Robinson, playing just 22 of Washington's 83 offensive snaps Sunday. The 29-year-old running back has not been involved much on the ground lately, handling just five total carries since the Week 14 bye. Based on his limited usage, McNichols should not be relied upon for fantasy when the Commanders host the Cowboys in Week 18.

Rodriguez rushed five times for 16 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Falcons. He added one catch on his lone target for 12 yards.

Rodriguez played 18 of the Commanders' 83 offensive snaps Sunday, his highest offensive snap total since Week 13. The 24-year-old's touchdown was his second trip to the end zone this season. With that said, Rodriguez has not seen consistent usage in his eight appearances, making him difficult to trust for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Cowboys.

Allgeier rushed three times for 19 yards in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Commanders.

Allgeier played just 12 percent of the Falcons' offensive snaps Sunday, his second-lowest snap share of the season. The third-year running back saw minimal usage while starter Bijan Robinson handled 20 total touches in the contest.

Brooks failed to record a single carry or target in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.

Brooks was held without a touch for just the fourth time all season. The second-year running back played just eight of the Packers' 63 offensive snaps Sunday, behind both Josh Jacobs (40) and Emanuel Wilson (20). Brooks remains far of the fantasy radar as Green Bay's No. 3 running back heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Bears.

Wilson rushed six times for 29 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-25 loss to the Vikings.

Wilson played 32 percent of the Packers' offensive snaps Sunday, while starter Josh Jacobs handled a 63 percent snap share. The 25-year-old Wilson's trip to the end zone was his third rushing score of the season and fourth overall touchdown in the 2024 campaign. The Fort Valley State University product has proven to be an effective backup to Jacobs, but his limited usage most weeks makes him difficult to trust for fantasy purposes.

Chandler rushed five times for seven yards in Sunday's 27-25 win over the Packers.

Chandler barely saw any playing time behind Aaron Jones (quad) and Cam Akers in Sunday's matchup against Green Bay. The 26-year-old running back played just seven of the Vikings' 72 offensive snaps in the contest, though his five rushing attempts marked his highest carry total since Week 5. Chandler was extremely inefficient with his opportunities, averaging just 1.4 yards per carry. Heading into a pivotal Week 18 matchup against the Lions, the North Carolina product remains far off the fantasy radar.

Akers rushed six times for 18 yards and caught two of three targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-25 win over the Packers.

Akers' touchdown was his third receiving score of the season and fifth total trip to the end zone this season. The veteran running back saw an increase in playing time Sunday, as teammate Aaron Jones (quad) was pulled out of the game out of caution and missed the entire fourth quarter. Akers may be thrown into a starting role in Week 18 if Jones is unable to suit up, but it appears Jones has a realistic chance to play in the season finale, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Next up for the Vikings is a matchup with the Lions to decide the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Lions reverted Jefferson to their practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Jefferson was elevated ahead of Monday's win against the 49ers and logged three carries for nine yards. That was his second elevation of the campaign, so he could be up with Detroit again in Week 18 versus Minnesota. Jefferson has been providing running back depth for the Lions since David Montgomery suffered an MCL injury versus Buffalo in Week 15.

Ford (ankle) was estimated as a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ford didn't take the field to begin Week 18 prep after he was forced out of this past Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins in the second quarter with the ankle injury. With both Ford and Pierre Strong (concussion) -- who was also a non-participant Tuesday -- banged up to begin Week 18 prep, the Browns signed John Kelly to their 53-man roster to provide another healthy option in the backfield along with D'Onta Foreman. The Browns could be relying heavily on Foreman to lead the ground attack in Saturday's season finale versus the Ravens if Ford is unable to play and if Strong can't clear the five-step concussion protocol before the weekend.