The Washington Commanders will unfortunately face the rest of the NFL season without their starting running back, Austin Ekeler. After rupturing his Achilles, he will be out for the year. This will make the team look for options within the roster to get the snaps out of the backfield. Here’s how the depth chart will look now.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt is “expected to be the starting running back” of the team moving forward. ‘Bill‘, as he’s known, will become the first running back on the depth chart.

This will leave Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. as the alternatives. This is the second big change on the RB room for the Commanders this season. The first was when they traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers, who was at the time the starter on the team. Now, due to Ekeler‘s injury, the rookie has gone from third to first on the pecking order.

Croskey-Merritt has surprised everyone

From OTAs to preseason, Croskey-Merritt has taken leaps in prominence within the Commanders’ building. In Week 1, he led the team with 10 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown vs. the Giants.

Week 2 saw the Commanders get three different players with 17 rushing yards, but Croskey-Merritt did it in only four carries, making him the most effective runner in average yards per carry. Also, the game script forced the Commanders to throw the ball way too much as they were rallying from behind since early in the game.

The Commanders schedule could favor Croskey-Merritt

Out of the next five games, the Commanders should be favored or have favorable matchups against four of them. Next week they host the Raiders, and that should be a game where the running game is key for Washington. After that, the burgundy and gold face the Falcons which points to a high-scoring game.

The one matchup that could see Croskey-Merritt fade is against the Chargers in Week 5. The Chargers’ defense is one of the best in the NFL and that could spell trouble for JCM’s production. Then, the Commanders play the Bears at home and away at Dallas in games where once again, the running game should thrive.

Last offseason, as part of a massive rebuild, the Commanders made several key changes. The NFC East team welcomed both a new quarterback and a new head coach, moves that initially raised concerns among fans.

It’s rare for a new QB-head coach duo to click right away. However, Jayden Daniels and Dan Quinn quickly silenced all doubts, taking the Commanders to a whole new level in their first season together.

Austin Ekeler sets the bar high for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in 2025

Jayden Daniels wasn’t the only major addition to the offense last year. In an effort to revamp the unit, head coach Dan Quinn pushed the front office to sign a reliable running back to support his new quarterback.

After parting ways with the Chargers, Austin Ekeler became one of the most sought-after free agents. Several teams showed interest, but Ekeler ultimately chose Washington as the best fit.

In his debut season with the Commanders, Ekeler played a crucial role alongside Daniels in leading the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. They even came close to reaching the Super Bowl, falling just short in the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles.

Now, after such an impressive 2024 campaign, Ekeler believes the ceiling is even higher. The veteran running back hopes to build on that success and push the Commanders all the way to the Super Bowl this coming season.

“I think there’s even going to be more growth this year, which is awesome because of where we’re at with our team and have a lot of players back,” Ekeler said during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “A lot of playmakers, gotta get Terry [McLaurin] paid and then, man, we’re gonna look like a powerhouse out there.”

How many Super Bowls have the Washington Commanders won?

Originally known as the Redskins, the Washington Commanders have won three Super Bowls in franchise history—claiming titles in 1983, 1988, and 1992.

The team has also experienced heartbreak on the big stage, losing two Super Bowls: one in 1973 against the Dolphins, and another in 1984 when the Raiders denied them a repeat title.

In recent years, the NFL has taken considerable steps to reduce concussions. However, in a contact sport like football, head-to-head collisions are almost impossible to eliminate entirely, despite the league’s ongoing efforts.

Many players have shared the long-term effects of concussions on their health. Recently, Austin Ekeler, running back for the Washington Commanders, added his voice to the conversation, addressing this critical issue.

Austin Ekeler reveals the impact of concussions on his health

Concussions remain one of the NFL’s biggest challenges. Earlier this year, Tua Tagovailoa’s third documented concussion raised questions about how the league can better protect players from such injuries.

These injuries are especially concerning due to their long-term effects. Numerous players have reported memory loss and other cognitive issues, a situation the NFL is striving to address comprehensively.

Ekeler recently opened up about his struggles. The running back has suffered multiple injuries this season, including two concussions that have had lingering effects on his daily life.

During an interview with 106.7 The Fan on Tuesday, Ekeler revealed he is still experiencing symptoms from a concussion sustained on Nov. 24. His primary issue has been memory loss, which has significantly impacted him.

Ekeler recounted that he has no memory of events from his hip injury until he woke up in the ambulance. He also noted similar memory loss following his first concussion, sustained in Week 3.

Why isn’t Austin Ekeler wearing a Guardian Cap?

Given his concussion history, some analysts have questioned why Ekeler isn’t using a Guardian Cap. This protective equipment can reduce concussion risks by up to 60%, though its use is not mandatory.

With the growing number of concussion cases this season, the NFL is expected to advocate more strongly for Guardian Cap usage, with some coaches encouraging players to wear them to minimize long-term risks.

For many football fans, especially those who play Fantasy, Austin Ekeler is definitely one of the best running backs in the NFL. He is also a big threat as a pass catcher, which is why he is aware of the significant value he brings to any team.

In the 2024 NFL season, Ekeler will play for a new team. He decided to accept the offer from the Commanders, ending his 7-year relationship with the Chargers after a successful tenure with the AFC West club.

Austin Ekeler Opens Up on Why He Decided to Leave the Chargers

For the past seven years, Austin Ekeler was the best offensive player for the Chargers. The running back was a menace both on the ground and through the air, which is why he secured the starting role for so many seasons.

Even though Ekeler excelled as the primary weapon of this offense, it seems he didn’t enjoy it at all. The new Commanders player was not comfortable with the workload given, which is why he sought a trade so desperately.

According to the 29-year-old, it was unsustainable for his career to carry the ball 300 times a year. Despite his contract issues, Ekeler wanted to receive some help in the backfield to avoid any more injuries in his career.

“You’re going to get the best version of myself always, no matter what,” Ekeler said, via NFL Media. “There’s been this controversy out there, like, ‘Oh Austin said he doesn’t want 300 carries, cause that’s what the Chargers said.’ I’ve never had that many carries ever. So, I don’t know why everybody’s in an uproar.“

Ekeler clarified that it is not that he doesn’t want to be the primary running back, but the workload was too intense for him, and it seemed like all the responsibility of the offense relied on him.

“It’s not that I don’t want to touch the ball. It’s the way that I’ve had the most production is when I’m able to split between catching and running the ball,” Ekeler said. “That is when I’ve been the most productive, down in the red zone, right out in the field, when I can have both those type of environments.”

What is Austin Ekeler’s contract with the Commanders?

Austin Ekeler was not able to secure a contract extension with the Los Angeles Chargers this year, which is why the AFC West club parted ways with him this offseason.

The Commanders needed a running back, and Ekeler saw a great opportunity to continue his career in the NFC East. The player signed a two-year, $8.4 million contract with Washington this offseason.

The Los Angeles Chargers are desperate for a massive change this year. Even though they have an amazing roster, the team has struggled to compete in recent years, mostly due to its coaching staff.

A few weeks ago, the club announced the arrival of Jim Harbaugh, one of the most sought-after coaches in football. He is prepared to bring some joy to the Chargers and help them compete in the AFC West.

Jim Harbaugh gets real on the continuity of Austin Ekeler

The Chargers have finally found the elite head coach they have been looking for years. it was not easy to bring Jim Harbaugh back to the NFL, but a lucrative contract convinced him to return.

Of course, money was not the sole factor that lured Harbaugh to sign with the Chargers. Fortunately for the team, they have a highly competitive roster, and it seems that all these players need is some guidance from a top coach to succeed.

One of those playmakers is Austin Ekeler. The running back has been a remarkable asset for the Chargers, but now his future is uncertain as he’s set to become a free agent soon.

During the 2023 season, there were rumors that the Chargers wanted to part ways with Ekeler. He even experienced a loss of workload during the campaign. However, Jim Harbaugh doesn’t want him to go anywhere.

“If things go well, it’s going to be because of guys like Austin Ekeler and the players,” Harbaugh told AP. “I like Austin Ekeler. We’re going to have a huge emphasis on the run game, and we gotta block better up front. He’s a tremendous back and we’d love to have him on the team next year. But yeah, [if] things go well, it’s kind of because of all the players. If it goes bad, it’s because I’m a bad manager, I’m a bad coach.”

As for Ekeler, he has a lot of doubts about the free agency market. On his own podcast, the player shared that he doesn’t know what to expect from it, but that he would like to land in a team that recognizes his value.

Even though he’s set to become a free agent, it seems like Harbaugh will do everything to bring him back to LA for the 2024 season. However, Ekeler wants a lucrative deal, but unfortunately, several running backs have struggled recently with this matter.

Is Austin Ekeler still a top running back?

Austin Ekeler, 29, has been a remarkable player for the Chargers in recent years. Despite a “less-than-stellar” year, he registered 1,064 scrimmage yards, marking his third consecutive season surpassing the 1,000-yard mark.

Unfortunately, running backs are currently facing a tough situation. Teams are hesitant to offer them lucrative deals, with top names such as Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, and of course Ekeler, hitting the free agency market this offseason.

The current season has not been the best for the Chargers. The AFC West squad currently holds a 5-7 record, and it seems that they won’t be able to secure a spot in the playoffs this year.

As the regular season draws to a close, fans are urging the team’s front office to consider making changes for improvement. However, the coaching staff might be contemplating a shocking decision concerning one of their main stars: Austin Ekeler.

Chargers might replace Austin Ekeler in the near future

In recent years, Austin Ekeler has been a crucial player for the Los Angeles Chargers. The running back’s performances have helped the AFC West team a lot, but it seems like they don’t recognize his effort in the best way possible.

Earlier this year, Ekeler asked the team to give him a contract extension, but they closed the door to that option. For this reason, they told him to seek a trade, but no team was interested in signing him.

Ekeler’s contract ends this year, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2024. There’s concern that the Chargers might not handle this situation fairly, potentially affecting his ability to join a new team.

Brandon Staley, head coach of the Chargers, has revealed their plans with Ekeler. He hinted at the possibility of using him less in the upcoming weeks, with a big chance of losing the starting job this same year.

“Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening,” Staley told reporters Wednesday, per ESPN. “We’re going to keep exploring, making adjustments, so that we can find that rhythm that I’ve been talking about. That’s certainly one way to do it. … We know that Austin is a good running back. We just haven’t found any rhythm in the last couple of weeks in the run game.”

It’s evident that Ekeler’s season hasn’t been as good as anticipated, tallying just 741 combined yards and five touchdowns. If the Chargers choose to designate him as RB2 for the remainder of the season, it’s unlikely these numbers will see a significant increase by the campaign’s end.

Who would replace Austin Ekeler as RB1 for the Los Angeles Chargers?

If the Chargers decide to use Austin Ekeler as backup, it would be Joshua Kelly the one who takes the spot of RB1. This year, Kelly has averaged 4.0 yards per carry, while Ekeler has only 2.9 yards per touch.

This decision could also greatly boost Isaiah Spiller’s statistics. Since being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft, he’s been limited to just five games with the Chargers and has only had 15 carries.

The Los Angeles Chargers have delivered some bad news regarding star running back Austin Ekeler, and this setback means that quarterback Justin Herbert won’t have his primary playmaker on offense for their week 2 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

Ekeler demonstrated his excellence against the Miami Dolphins, where he recorded 117 rushing yards and a touchdown while also making a valuable contribution of 47 receiving yards. However, the team official announced that he has been downgraded to out.

Despite suffering an ankle injury in the defeat, head coach Brandon Staley clarified the running back’s upcoming availability as he confirmed it isn’t a high-ankle sprain. This absence comes as a significant blow to the Chargers, given his contributions to the offense.

Austin Ekeler’s Replacement

Running backs have seen their value decline in recent times, Ekeler experienced this firsthand during the offseason when he initially requested a trade from the Chargers due to a disagreement with their response to his contract demands.

After weeks of stagnation in trade talks, the Chargers eventually offered a slightly improved deal, including incentives that could potentially boost his earnings. However, Ekeler is still in the final year of his contract considering no more seasons were added to the contract.

In the upcoming game, the Chargers will rely heavily on Joshua Kelley. The remarkable aspect is that Kelley showcased his ability against the Dolphins, rushing for an impressive 91 yards on 16 carries. Providing depth behind Kelley will be Elijah Dotson and Isaiah Spiller.

How Old Is Austin Ekeler?

Austin Ekeler is 28 years old.

The waiting is finally over for football fans. A new NFL season is arriving, and everyone is thrilled to see their teams in action. However, there’s another big reason why they are excited: fantasy leagues.

Each year, thousands of fantasy leagues start alongside the NFL season. Fans want to select the best players available, so here is the list of the top 5 running backs you need to go for to secure a lot of points each week.

2023 NFL Fantasy Football: Ranking the top 5 running backs

The running back position is key for every single fantasy football team. They have several ways to add points each game, so it is vital to have a solid starter to rely on each week.

1. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers): Even though it is not expected that CMC has the same workload this year, the 49ers have a remarkable offense. Also, it seems like Brock Purdy could use him more in case the quarterback needs to get rid of the ball urgently.
2. Austin Ekeler (Los Angeles Chargers): It doesn’t seem like the Chargers will trade Ekeler despite his request. He has been one of the best running backs in recent years in terms of fantasy points, and he’s also committed to prove his fantasy ‘owners’ that they did well by drafting him.
3. Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons): Yes, a rookie is a top 3 in this list. For many scouts, Robinson is one of the best running backs that college football has had recently, and that’s why he was selected in this year’s first round by Atlanta.
4. Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns): Even though the Browns have not been able to become a competitive squad, somehow Nick Chubb has emerged as one of the best running backs in the entire league, and his fantasy numbers are really attractive for owners.
5. Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys): After waiting for his opportunity, Pollard will finally be the starting running back of Dallas. Last year he had a more important role, but not entirely primary. With the franchise tag on him, he will definitely try to have an amazing season to prove he’s worthy of a long-term deal.

Of course, there are other elite running backs to consider, like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Dalvin Cook, among others. However, their situations are not ideal; the first two didn’t reach contract extensions, which could impact on their performance, and Cook will play for a new team this year.

Running backs are facing significant challenges. Players like Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs couldn’t secure long-term deals with their teams. While playing under the franchise tag is not the ideal option for them, it remains the only way they will get paid this year.

The running backs’ situation has raised significant concern across the league. As a result, some of the best players at the position have come together to discuss their salary problems, striving to find a solution to address their demands.

Austin Ekeler organizes a meeting with NFL’s top running backs to discuss salary problems

This year has undoubtedly been arduous for running backs. Despite their vital role in their clubs, players are not receiving the deals they desire, and they have reached a breaking point with this treatment.

After the 2023 NFL franchise tag deadline, during which Barkley, Pollard, and Jacobs didn’t secure long-term deals, running backs decided to take a proactive step forward and have a meeting to find a solution to end this situation.

Austin Ekeler, who requested a trade earlier this year, organized a zoom meeting with the league’s top running backs. Here’s the list of players who attended the reunion to discuss their salary problems:

• Saquon Barkley (New York Giants)
• Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans)
• Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas Raiders)
• Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)
• Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers)
• Tony Pollard (Dallas Cowboys)
• Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns)
• Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers)
• Joe Mixon (Cincinnati Bengals)
• JK Dobbins (Baltimore Ravens)

After the meeting, Nick Chubb revealed what they discussed. “We’re kind of handcuffed with the situation,” the Browns player said, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “We’re the only position that our production hurts us the most. If we go out there and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they’re going to say, you’re probably worn down. It’s tough. … It hurts us at the end of the day.”

Running backs are having a really rough year. Players such as Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs, were unable to reach an agreement for a long-term deal despite being key pieces for their teams.

Unfortunately, Austin Ekeler has also gone through a rough situation. The Los Angeles Chargers denied him a contract extension earlier this year, so now he has had enough and decided to raise his voice against NFL owners.

Austin Ekeler desperately sends message to NFL owners about running backs’ problems

The NFL is set to face a huge problem soon. Several running backs are not being paid as much as they think they deserve, and players are starting to express their desperation against the league.

This offseason, Barkley, Jacobs, and Pollard received the franchise tag. It was expected that they would secure a long-term deal before the deadline, but unfortunately, none of them were able to reach an agreement with their teams.

The news was not well taken by the rest of the league, especially running backs. Numerous players gave their point of view on this matter, and Austin Ekeler, who is also struggling with his contract situation, didn’t hesitate to address the problem.

“I’ve been pretty vocal about this just because it’s not good for our running back market as far as capital coming in, it’s putting like a ceiling on it, there’s no new contracts being made, there’s no new comparables that are actually relevant because there’s been a set number set on guys,” said Ekeler to CBS Sports. “From a player’s aspect, we have no control of that. I have no control. So really who we want answers from is the ownership. Like, why are you doing this? What’s the reasoning?”

Ekeler, who was denied a contract extension earlier this year, sent a threat to NFL owners, asking them to change their situation soon. “You poked the bear, and you’re going to have to make us do something,” the running back said.

The game has been shifting to a pass-first approach in the last couple of years. It has always been about the quarterbacks, but the running backs usually had meaningful roles in the offenses. However, that hasn’t transferred to the contracts.

There shouldn’t be big names available in free agency at this point of the offseason, but stars such as Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott remain unsigned. Other playmakers like Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs haven’t been able to sign long-term deals despite being anchors of their teams.

Despite now being removed from his prime, Melvin Gordon is a veteran that can still contribute in a backup role. However, he hasn’t found a team yet following a bad year with the underperforming Denver Broncos.

Melvin Gordon says being a running back “sucks”

With the cap space growing every year, the salaries also increase. The quarterbacks have had unbelievable rises in their contracts and that happened with other positions too. For example, wide receiver. But there is one position that went the other way.

Another case of an underappreciated player is Austin Ekeler, who couldn’t get an extension even though he is the best offensive weapon of the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s why Gordon made a huge statement about being a running back in the present.

“It’s just so tough for running backs right now, man. You have a lot of running backs that’s out there and we just don’t get no love. It’s literally the worst position to play in the NFL right now. It literally sucks”, Gordon said in an interview with Jim Rome on CBS Sports Radio.