Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Another start likely Sunday
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Ekeler may be in line to lead the Commanders backfield Sunday against the Steelers due to Brian Robinson (hamstring) being ruled out for the contest, Zach Selby of the team's official site reports.
With Robinson sidelined Week 9 at the Giants, Ekeler started and paced Washington running backs with 47 percent of the snaps, while Jeremy McNichols took 39 percent and Chris Rodriguez handled 32 percent. The breakdown of touches was a different story, at least for the reserves. Ekeler earned 11 touches (for 83 yards from scrimmage and a rushing TD) to Rodriguez's 11 (all carries for 52 yards) and McNichols' eight (all rushes for 20 yards). Rodriguez has been elevated three times this season, so he'll need to be signed to the active roster Saturday in order to vie with Ekeler and McNichols for work Sunday.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Solid performance without Robinson
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Ekeler rushed the ball 11 times for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Giants. He added three receptions on four targets for 41 yards.
Ekeler saw his highest carry total of the season in the absence of Brian Robinson (hamstring). He accounted for the majority of his production on the ground on Washington's first drive of the second quarter, during which he delivered rushes of 20 and five yards as well as a one-yard touchdown plunge. Ekeler supplemented that with his work as a receiver, highlighted by a 28-yard catch and run to help set up a game-clinching field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Robinson was able to practice in limited fashion throughout the week, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action in Week 10 against the Steelers. In turn, that would relegate Ekeler to a change-of-pace role.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: In line for start with Robinson out
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Ekeler is expected to be the Commanders' primary running back Sunday at the Giants due to Brian Robinson (hamstring) being inactive.
Robinson's practice reps were capped this week due to a hamstring injury, and after a pregame warmup didn't yield the desired results for game day, Washington opted to keep him on the sideline. The situation opens the door for Ekeler to lead the backfield for the second time this season, but in the other such outing (Week 6 at Baltimore), he tallied 68 yards from scrimmage on 13 touches. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also will be on hand for snaps behind Ekeler.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Totals 58 yards
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Ekeler rushed the ball seven times for 52 yards in Sunday's 18-15 win over the Bears. He added two receptions on three targets for six yards.
Ekeler continued to serve as the change-of-pace back in Washington, seeing half the carries of Brian Robinson. His stat line oversells his production considerably, as he tallied a 29-yard rush on a meaningless play just before halftime. He was also oddly quiet as a pass catcher, and he's now been held to single-digit receiving yards in consecutive games.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Limited due to game script
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Ekeler rushed the ball four times for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers. He added two receptions on two targets for three yards.
Ekeler returned to his typical role as the change-of-pace back behind Brian Robinson, though game script dictated that he was sidelined for the final 19 minutes of the contest. Washington maintained a significant lead throughout the game, also limiting its pass attempts and cutting into Ekeler's primary way to contribute to the offense. The Commanders will face a much more difficult task in Week 8 against the Bears, so Ekeler should be asked to make more of an impact.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Can't get going on ground Sunday
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Ekeler carried the ball nine times for 21 yards and caught four of five targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens.
Baltimore's run defense didn't allow a run of 10 or more yards all game, and Jayden Daniels wound up leading Washington in rushing yards with a mere 22. Ekeler still salvaged some fantasy value through the air, and he's hauled in multiple passes in all five of his games to begin the season, with Sunday's five targets being a season high. If Brian Robinson (knee) isn't able to return in Week 7, Ekeler could be a lot busier next week against the Panthers.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Sleeper RBs
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Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) is considered a game-time decision for Week 6 at Baltimore, and if he's out, then Ekeler is worth using as a No. 2 running back, with Jeremy McNichols as a flex. This is a tough matchup against the Ravens, who are No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. But Ekeler and McNichols would get a boost in touches if Robinson can't play, and both have done well this season in secondary roles. Ekeler has scored at least 11.5 PPR points in three games in a row, and he had 97 total yards in Week 5 against Cleveland. And McNichols has three touchdowns in his past two games, including 15 carries for 112 yards over that span. McNichols will likely need to score to help your Fantasy roster, but this could be Ekeler's best game of the season if Robinson is out.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Gets back to full practice Thursday
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Ekeler (heel) practiced in full Thursday.
Ekeler followed up Wednesday's capped session with all activity one day later, indicating his heel issue isn't too much of a concern. At the same time, fellow RB Brian Robinson has yet to practice this week due to a lingering knee injury. Robinson was able to suit up this past Sunday versus the Browns, but snaps and touches were spread among him, Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. A similar breakdown of reps between the trio is likely to occur Sunday in Baltimore if Robinson again is active.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Limited Wednesday
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Ekeler practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday due to a heel injury.
Ekeler was productive in his return from a one-game absence this past Sunday against the Browns, turning eight touches into 97 yards from scrimmage while pacing Commanders running backs with a 49 percent snap share. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson ranked second in playing time among running backs due to a lingering knee injury, finishing with seven carries for 18 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson didn't practice Wednesday, but if he's able to increase his activity Thursday and/or Friday or if Ekeler remains slowed by the heel issue, Robinson could recapture a larger share of the snaps this Sunday in Baltimore.
Ekeler cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Browns on Sunday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Meanwhile, backfield mate Brian Robinson (knee) is said to be "trending in the right direction" but could be headed for a game-time decision. A Robinson absence would set up Ekeler for his largest workload of the season, with Jeremy McNichols potentially also having a significant role again after filling in for Ekeler during last week's win at Arizona.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Gets back to full practice Thursday
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Ekeler (concussion) practiced in full Thursday.
Ekeler returned to drills this week for the first time since he sustained a concussion Week 3, and he increased his activity level from limited Wednesday to all activity Thursday. Per John Keim of ESPN.com, Ekeler even was spotted without a yellow non-contact jersey Thursday, signaling that he's been cleared for contact. Still, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to suit up Sunday in Seattle. Because Brian Robinson (knee) hasn't practiced this week, there's a chance Ekeler will take on a significant role this weekend, assuming he's active and the former is inhibited or sits out.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Limited in return to practice
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Ekeler (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday.
Ekeler left midway through the Commanders' Week 3 win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and he was unable to practice at all last week before he missed this past Sunday's contest at Arizona. Head coach Dan Quinn told John Keim of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that the "arrows are pointing up" for Ekeler, and his return to practice, even in a capped fashion, has set him on a path to suiting up again. In the end, though, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to be able to play Sunday against the Browns.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Tracking toward playing
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Ekeler (concussion) expects to play Week 5 versus the Browns, Grant Paulsen of The Athletic reports.
Ekeler was unavailable for the team's Week 4 win over the Cardinals due to a concussion, and the running back is still working his way through league protocols. Ekeler said Tuesday that he is "feeling more like himself," and his status on the team's injury report throughout the week will be worth monitoring.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Week 5 Waiver Priority List
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Austin Ekeler (concussion) was out in Week 4 at Arizona, and McNichols became the No. 2 running back for the Commanders behind Brian Robinson Jr. in that contest. McNichols ended up with eight carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns and caught one pass for 6 yards. If Ekeler is out again in Week 5 at Cleveland, then McNichols can be a flex option in deeper leagues, and he's worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Out Week 4 with concussion
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Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Ekeler (concussion) won't be available for Sunday's game at Arizona, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Ekeler was removed from Monday's win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and Quinn revealed Tuesday that the running back also was dealing with a laceration to his ear, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site. With his lack of availability already confirmed for Week 4, Ekeler's next chance to suit up will come Oct. 6 against the Browns. In Ekeler's absence, Brian Robinson likely stands to handle a greater share of Washington's backfield, while Jeremy McNichols and practice-squad members Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley will be candidates to fill in behind Robinson.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Out with concussion
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Ekeler will not return to Monday's matchup with the Bengals after sustaining a concussion, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
Ekeler took a handoff in the red zone during the third quarter of Monday's contest and subsequently exited the game. He had tallied 57 total yards and one touchdown prior to sustaining the injury. He will need to clear the league's concussion protocol at some point during the week in order to avoid a Week 4 absence in Arizona.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Makes Washington debut Saturday
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Ekeler rushed twice for seven yards and didn't catch his only target in Saturday's 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets.
Ekeler and Brian Robinson got two carries apiece inside the Jets' 10-yard line on the opening drive, but it was quarterback Jayden Daniels who ultimately capped that possession with a three-yard rushing touchdown. Ekeler scored 30 rushing touchdowns over the last three regular seasons as the Chargers' unquestioned top rushing option by the goal line, but he'll have to compete for those valuable looks against Robinson and Daniels in Washington. Both Ekeler and Robinson should continue to mix in with the first-team offense in next Saturday's preseason matchup with the Dolphins.
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Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Listed as co-starter
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Ekeler and Brian Robinson both are listed as starters on Washington's initial preseason depth chart.
The Commanders list 12 starters on offense, with three wideouts, two running backs and a tight end. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury suggested Tuesday that Ekeler and Robinson both will have significant roles, referring to the duo as a "1-2 punch" and noting that he doesn't think Ekeler's down season in 2023 was due to physical decline.
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Chargers' Austin Ekeler: Disappointing close to season
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Ekeler rushed the ball 10 times for 11 yards in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Chiefs. He added seven receptions on eight targets for 38 yards.
The Chargers ran 80 offensive plays in the loss, with Easton Stick taking to the air 47 times. As a result, Ekeler saw limited opportunity on the ground and was held to under 15 rushing yards for the second time in his last four games. He did manage to salvage his day as a receiver by matching his highest reception total of the season. It was a fitting close to a disappointing season for the Chargers overall as well as Ekeler individually, though he did still manage 1,064 yards from scrimmage with six total scores. He'll enter free agency this offseason, leaving his potential role and team in 2024 unclear.
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Chargers' Austin Ekeler: Totals 50 yards in loss
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Ekeler rushed 13 times for 46 yards and caught his only target for four yards in Sunday's 16-9 loss to the Broncos.
Ekeler was featured on offense for a Chargers team that was without its quarterback and top three wideouts Sunday. The remaining star on offense finished with a team-high 14 touches, but he was stymied by a stout Broncos defense and held to 50 total yards and no scores. In positive news, Ekeler's efforts helped him reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 13 semi-healthy games this season. The Chargers will still be lacking several key pieces in Week 18, so expect Ekeler to continue to be featured on offense in the team's regular-season finale against the Chiefs.
