Commanders lose Austin Ekeler for season after torn Achilles at Lambeau Field
MRI confirmed season-ending Achilles tear for running back Austin Ekeler after non-contact injury in loss to Packers; team also loses DE Deatrich Wise Jr. to quadriceps surgery
The Washington Commanders will be without running back Austin Ekeler for the remainder of the season after an MRI confirmed a torn Achilles, the team said Friday following Ekeler’s injury late in the Commanders’ loss at Green Bay.
Ekeler, 30, fell to the turf on a non-contact route and was unable to put weight on his right leg before being helped off and eventually carted to the locker room. The injury occurred late in Thursday’s game at Lambeau Field and was confirmed by imaging after the team returned to Washington.
Ekeler had started both of Washington’s games this season, rushing 14 times for 43 yards and catching five passes for 38 yards. The nine-year NFL veteran is in his second season with the Commanders after seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. Last season he appeared in 12 games with six starts, rushing for 367 yards and four touchdowns while adding 35 receptions for 366 yards.
With Ekeler sidelined, Washington said it will turn to rookie seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt and veteran Jeremy McNichols to share backfield duties. Croskey-Merritt, 24, carried 14 times for 99 yards and one touchdown through the first two games of the season. McNichols, 29, had four carries for 25 yards.
The Commanders also will be without defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. for the rest of the season after he underwent quadriceps surgery. Wise was injured while attempting to block an extra-point attempt in the first half of the Packers game.
Coach and team officials did not offer an extended timetable beyond the season-ending designation for either player. The loss of Ekeler removes a frequently used receiving option out of the backfield for quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has used Ekeler as a short-yardage and third-down target early this season.
Washington travels back home to face the Las Vegas Raiders next week. The team enters the game needing to reconfigure its offensive rotation and defensive depth following the two injuries.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
