As the Washington Commanders navigate a mountain of early-season injuries, one move that turned heads this week was the return of a player everyone thought was done in the NFL.
Austin Ekeler is back in D.C., and with Rachaad White out in Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, the running back will be called on immediately.
The 31-year-old Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon in Week 2 of last season against the Green Bay Packers and went unsigned all offseason. However, there's still a role for the pass-catching back in the right situation, and head coach Dan Quinn believes he can provide some quality depth.
Austin Ekeler must pick up where he left off for the Commanders
With White on the shelf, the Commanders will need him from the outset.
White is dealing with a shoulder injury and has been ruled out for the Commanders' contest against the Colts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Washington will continue to lean on Jacory Croskey-Merritt and maybe Kaytron Allen as rushers, but Ekeler will take on most of the Arizona State product's responsibilities.
In 2024, Ekeler's last healthy season, he racked up more than 700 yards of total offense and earned All-Pro honors as a kick returner. The 10th-year pro's speed and agility might not be what they once were, but he's a sure-handed weapon who can grab you a few yards when you need them.
And considering how ineffective Washington's offensive backfield has been, it can't hurt to see what he's still got.
Ekeler might not save the Commanders' backfield, but he certainly can't hurt it.
Austin Ekeler won't be a bell-cow, but the Commanders don't need him to be
Through three games, the Commanders are averaging 94 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards per game from their running backs. Offensive coordinator David Blough has done well to spread the ball around, but Washington could use some more production from its backfield, particularly as pass-catchers.
That's what Ekeler is here for.
White was supposed to be a dynamic dual-threat back for the Commanders, but he only has 51 receiving yards on nine catches through three games. He could still build on that upon his return, but in the meantime, Blough may want to use Ekeler to get that part of the offense going.
Ekeler might not get more than a handful of touches in his first game in more than a calendar year, but he'll need to make the most of them. The Colts are one of the league's weaker defenses thus far, so it will be a solid opportunity to ease him in.
The Western Colorado product isn't back in Washington to be a hero, but the Commanders hope he can at least do enough to spark something.
We'll see what the veteran has left in the tank.
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