Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a concussion, coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday.
Ekeler left Monday night’s 38-33 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in the third quarter and was eventually ruled out with the injury. He tallied 52 total yards from scrimmage, 35 rushing and 22 receiving, before exiting. Ekeler aslo recorded a 62-yard kick return and his first rushing touchdown as a Commander on the night.
The 29-year-old back is in his first season with the Commanders after playing seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s been a part of a solid backfield tandem with Brian Robinson Jr., logging 83 rushing yards and 121 receiving yards this season.
This is a legitimate blow for Washington’s offense. The running back tandem of Ekeler and Brian Robinson carried the offense the first two weeks and a chunk of Monday’s first half.
The slithery half of the duo, Ekeler answered offseason questions about his NFL future coming off a season with the Chargers where he averaged 3.5 yards per carry. He’s been shifty and tough with the Commanders thus far, averaging 6.4 yards per rushing attempt. Ekeler has also been a plus in the passing game with nine receptions on nine targets for 121 yards. Ekeler scored a 24-yard rushing touchdown at Cincinnati and popped a 62-yard kick return at the start of the second half, only to get hurt on his next touch.
Ekeler returned to Virginia after the game while the team went to Phoenix ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. Quinn did not offer a recovery timeline.
Veteran Jeremy McNichols filled in and delivered a key block on Jayden Daniels’s final touchdown pass. For a more offensive-minded option, rookie Michael Wiley or second-year RB Chris Rodriguez will likely get elevated from the practice squad.
The Commanders are 2-1 this season in their first year under Quinn.
(Photo: G Fiume / Getty Images)
