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Austin Ekeler was a great addition by the Washington Commanders ahead of the 2024 regular season. Before getting hurt, the former LA Chargers' versatility was a key component of Dan Quinn's offense in his first year coaching the Commanders.
Ahead of the Commanders' Week 16 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, let's look at Ekeler's return timeline.
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Austin Ekeler's injury update
According to Pro Football Network, the Washington Commanders placed Austin Ekeler on injured reserve ahead of their Week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans. That guaranteed his absence from the next four regular-season matchups, with his potential return date being in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys.
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Thus, Ekeler's earliest return game will be against his team's NFC rivals in the last contest of the regular season. That'll be just in time to help Dan Quinn's team in a deep playoff push.
However, it's important to note that Ekeler is dealing with a head injury (concussion). Concussions are notoriously problematic to predict, as each has a unique recovery timeline. Ekeler will need to clear the league's five-step protocol, and only then will he be cleared to return to action.
How has Austin Ekeler performed this season?
As initially mentioned, Austin Ekeler was having a great first season with the Washington Commanders. The veteran running back was the primary RB in the team's run game and a significant factor as a pass catcher.
Before the injury, Ekeler amassed a stat line of 74 carries, 355 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also added 33 receptions and 346 receiving yards in 11 games. With Ekeler out, the Commanders will rely on Brian Robinson Jr. and Jeremy McNichols for the rest of the regular season.
The Commanders enter Week 16 with a 9-5 record, and they're just one win away from crossing the 10-win mark in the first season of the Jayden Daniels era. This is a significant achievement considering the rebuild level required after the departure of long-time owner Dan Snyder.
The Commanders end their season with home games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons and a trip to Dallas to square off against the Cowboys.
