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From FantasyLife

Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (Achilles) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Monday, Sept. 15.

Fantasy Spin: Ekeler will miss the rest of the season because of a torn Achilles tendon, so Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols likely will be the main options in the running game for the rest of the season. Croskey-Merritt has shown some playmaking ability and should be the one with the most fantasy value. He can be considered at least a No. 3 running back in leagues. Fantasy players may also want to keep an eye on Chris Rodriguez Jr. if he receive a role in the running game.

From TheHuddle

Updating previous reports, an MRI exam for Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (Achilles) confirmed that he has suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.

Fantasy Spin: Ekeler sustained the injury during Week 2's game against the Green Bay Packers and will be supplanted by rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt as Washington's lead running back. Croskey-Merritt can be viewed as an RB3 with upside and should be added immediately in all fantasy leagues where he is still available. RB Jeremy McNichols is expected to move into the No. 2 role for the Commanders and can be viewed as an RB4 or RB5 option in most leagues, although RB Chris Rodriguez should see an increased number of offensive snaps as well going forward.

From TheHuddle

Dynasty | Commanders running back Austin Ekeler has a torn Achilles and will miss the rest of the season. Dynasty Analysis: It only took a little over a week for the first major injury to occur and it's happened to the veteran running back. This is hardly a surprise after he went down Thursday night in a non-contact fashion. Ekeler is going to have a lengthy road back and as a running back past the age of 30, this is going to be an injury that could be career-ending. He's in the final year of his contract, so his future is even that much more uncertain. Once a dominant fantasy force, Ekeler is likely headed for waiver wires in most leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles during Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Ekeler injured his ankle on the game's final drive while stepping back awkwardly. The lead back for Washington through the first two weeks, Ekeler totaled 14 carries for 43 yards and added five receptions for 38 yards. With 2024 starter Brian Robinson Jr. already traded, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt will now step into the starting role. Ekeler's contract expires after this season, making the injury an even bigger blow for the former star running back.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Washington running back Austin Ekeler injured his Achilles in Thursday Night's Game against the Packers. Dynasty Analysis: Ekeler went down with a non-contact injury as he tried to change directions on the field. While nothing is confirmed, this has the looks of a torn Achilles. If that's the case, it would be a tough one to come back from as a 30-year old running back. We'll await official confirmation but it really looks like Ekeler may be lost for the season, leaving this backfield to Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez, barring more moves by the Commanders. Stay tuned.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Updating an earlier report, Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (Achilles) is believed to have suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon during the team's Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. He will undergo imaging to confirm the injury on Friday, Sept. 12. Prior to departing, Ekeler carried the ball eight times for 17 yards to go along with two receptions for seven yards.

Fantasy Spin: Unfortunately, this was expected after seeing the way Ekeler went down and his inability to put any weight on his leg coming off the field. Barring something unforeseen, Ekeler's 2025 season is over, which should increase Jacory Croskey-Merritt's usage as the lead back and move Jeremy McNichols into the No. 2 role. Croskey-Merritt is likely owned is most leagues, but if not, you'll want to add him immediately. McNichols becomes a priority addition as well as he should become an RB4/RB5 type in taking over for Ekeler.

From TheHuddle

The Washington Commanders fear that running back Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles during Thursday's loss to the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He will undergo an MRI. Ekeler suffered the injury on a non-contact play late in the fourth quarter. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the veteran running back will be shut down for the remainder of his age-30 season. Such an outcome would shake up the depth chart in Washington, D.C. Jacory Croskey-Merritt would remain the lead back while Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. handle larger roles behind him.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (Achilles) has been ruled out for the remainder of the Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers after suffering an Achilles injury.

Fantasy Spin: Ekeler appeared to suffer an Achilles tendon tear, and if that injury is confirmed, he will miss the remainder of the season. If Ekeler is out, Jacory Croskey-Merritt will likely become the lead back in Washington and a potential RB2 for fantasy owners.

From TheHuddle

Austin Ekeler (Achilles) suffered what appeared to be a serious injury in the fourth quarter of the Thursday Night Football Game between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers, and had to be carried off the field. Due to the non-contact nature of the injury, and the fact that he immediately grabbed at his lower leg area, there is speculation that he may have suffered a torn Achilles. He has officially been ruled out for the game, and we would expect him to miss significant time if not the remainder of the season. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt should be elevated even further into a featured role, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. likely being involved as well. Look for further news updates as we hear more confirmation about the severity of Ekeler's injury after further medical testing.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler operated mostly as the team's lead back in Week 1 against the Giants, leading the backfield with 32 snaps out of 65 plays. He only touched the ball nine times for the game, but was again efficient with 57 yards. The roles are still fairly fluid in the Washington backfield, but Week 1 could be instructive for how it might look going forward. Washington essentially gave Ekeler and Croskey-Merritt their own drives against the Giants, which is interesting. Ekeler was out-carried by Croskey-Merritt 10 to six, and the rookie could continue to earn more touches as the season goes on. Ekeler faces another stiff test against the Packers' defense that held Lions superstar running back Jahmyr Gibbs to just 50 yards on 19 touches. He should be looked at as a quality FLEX with projectable volume for Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and was not given a game designation.

Fantasy Spin: Ekeler found himself as the third wheel in the Commanders' running back group in Week 1 with just six carries. The emergence of Jacory Croskey-Merritt makes his fantasy value murky, so avoid him in your lineup in Week 2.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders P Tress Way (back) and DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (knee) were limited in practice on Wednesday, Sept. 10. and is questionable for Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. WR Noah Brown (rest) did not practice on Wednesday and was not given a game designation. RB Austin Ekeler (shoulder) was limited in practice on Wednesday and was not given a game designation. TE John Bates (shoulder), QB Jayden Daniels (wrist), and DL Daron Payne (calf) practiced in full on Wednesday and no longer appear on the injury report. TE Zach Ertz (rest), CB Jonathan Jones (rest), CB Marshon Lattimore (rest), LB Von Miller (rest), and OT Laremy Tunsil (rest) were not given practice designations on Wednesday but are expected to play.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz (rest), CB Jonathan Jones (rest), CB Marshon Lattimore (rest), LB Von Miller (rest), and DL Daron Payne (calf/rest) did not practice on Tuesday, Sept. 9. WR Noah Brown (knee) and RB Austin Ekeler (shoulder) were limited in practice. TE John Bates (shoulder), QB Jayden Daniels (wrist), and DL Deatrich Wise Jr. (knee) all practiced in full.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (shoulder) is on the initial injury report for Week 2 and was listed as limited on the team's estimated injury report for Monday. The Commanders conducted a walk-through practice. While Ekeler's status should be followed heading into Thurday night's tilt against the Green Bay Packers, he should be able to suit up in Week 2. The 30-year-old played on only 33 of the team's 70 offensive snaps in their Week 1 win over the New York Giants while carrying the ball six times for 26 yards and catching all three of his targets for 31 yards as a pass-catcher. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the team's RBs with 10 carries and had a team-high 82 rushing yards and a touchdown. JCM already looks like the leader on early downs in Washington, leaving Ekeler as the Commanders' primary pass-catching back in a committee.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders P Tress Way (back) did not participate in practice Monday, Sept. 8. WR Noah Brown (knee) and RB Austin Ekeler (shoulder) were limited during practice. TE John Bates (shoulder), QB Jayden Daniels (wrist), DT Daron Payne (calf) and DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (knee) fully participated in practice. The Commanders only held a walkthrough Monday, so the report is an estimation.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (shoulder) was limited during practice Monday, Sept. 8. The Commanders only held a walkthrough Monday, so this is an estimation.

Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should keep an eye on the situation to see if Ekeler will be ready to play in Week 2. He shared playing time with Jacory Croskey-Merritt in Week 1 and finished with 57 total yards. He should be involved in both the running and passing game against the Green Bay Packers and can be a possible flex option in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler rushed for 26 yards on six carries and caught all three of his targets for 31 yards in Week 1 versus the New York Giants.

Fantasy Spin: It may only be one week, but it would appear that Washington would love nothing more than to split about 30 touches per week among Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jayden Daniels. Ekeler got the start in this one and remains the obvious top option out of the backfield in the passing game, but it might not take long for Croskey-Merritt to take over as the primary early-down back if he continues to do what he did in Week 1. For now, Ekeler should be considered a solid flex option most weeks, including in a Thursday night showdown against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler should handle a lot of the work in the Washington backfield in Week 1 against the Giants. Ekeler is coming off a strong bounceback season in his first year with Washington, totaling 733 yards from scrimmage with four touchdowns in 12 games. He still proved deadly as a pass catcher as he led the position in yards per reception at 10.5. Ekeler is likely to take care of the pass-down responsibilities while also maybe taking on more as a rusher this year. But he has also been aware that limiting his reps is best to keep him most effective, and they have capable backs behind him to help carry the load. Chris Rodriguez Jr. and rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt will likely handle early-down responsibilities and earn volume in carries. Ekeler is the trusted veteran in the room and should get most of the high-value touches, receptions, and rushes inside the 10-yard line. He is a solid flex play for Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler was once again deployed as the team's RB1 during practice on Wednesday. During a QB/RB drill, JP Finaly of NBC4 reported that Ekeler was given the first opportunity, while seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt followed him. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. followed behind him as the third and fourth running backs. Earlier in the week, Ekeler was listed first on the team's depth chart, and his usage during Wednesday's practice seems to solidify his role as the lead option. During his debut season in Washington, Ekeler served as the primary pass-catching back, but was still very effective on the ground, posting a 4.8 YPC. Given his projected role, Ekeler carries RB2 upside in PPR leagues and strong flex value in standard formats facing the New York Giants in Week 1.

From RotoBaller