Austin Ekeler has looked rejuvenated this season. No longer in a bell-cow role, which was his preference, Ekeler has been the perfect lightning to Brian Robinson Jr.’s thunder. While Ekeler has been physically healthy for the entire season, he has now suffered his second brain injury of the year. Currently dealing with another concussion, did Ekeler clear the NFL‘s concussion protocol in time for today’s game?
What Is Austin Ekeler’s Injury?
Ekeler’s first concussion came back in Week 3. He departed after just 13 snaps. With the Commanders having played on Monday night, he was unable to get cleared in time for the following week’s game. To date, that has been his only absence of the season.
In Week 12, though, Ekeler suffered yet another concussion in the Commanders’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
At first glance, it looked pretty bad. For some reason, the 29-year-old veteran was returning kicks. On a big hit, he was knocked unconscious.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
As horrible as it looked, the severity of concussions varies widely and is not easily ascertained based on the viciousness of the hit. Every player responds differently.
Fortunately, Ekeler was able to get up and walk off the field. However, he was always going to be facing an uphill battle to clear the concussion protocol without missing a game, especially given that this is his second of the season.
Will Ekeler Play in Week 13?
Ekeler did not progress through the protocol in time to get cleared for Sunday’s game. He was ruled out on Friday.
It’s exceedingly rare for a player to not miss a game with a concussion in the modern NFL. When a player suffers more than one in a season, the second absence is almost always longer than the first.
Unfortunately, even the Commanders having a Week 14 bye will not help Ekeler. Washington placed him on injured reserve (IR) on Saturday, guaranteeing a four-game absence. Now, that bye week is actually a negative. Since the Commanders do not play in Week 14 and an IR stint requires a minimum of four games missed — not four weeks — the earliest we could see Ekeler again is in Week 18.
Fantasy Implications of Ekeler’s Week 13 Status
At full strength, the Commanders have a strong one-two punch with Robinson and Ekeler. With Ekeler out this week, it will mark the fourth time Washington has been without one of its main backs.
Whenever one of Ekeler or Robinson misses, veteran journeyman Jeremy McNichols slides into that RB2 role. While McNichols undoubtedly won’t see as much work as Ekeler, he will operate as the primary passing-down back. That gives him some desperation RB3 appeal. Although, on a week where no teams are on a bye, hopefully, none of you out there need to resort to starting McNichols outside of deeper leagues.
It is worth noting that, while not listed on the injury report, Robinson has been banged up over the past few weeks. Injuries limited him to just 12 snaps against the Cowboys last week.
Ekeler’s absence should, in theory, lead to a bigger role for Robinson. However, Robinson’s own health concerns could get in the way.
This is also a difficult matchup against a Tennessee Titans run defense that has been playing much better as of late.
The Titans have shut down opposing running games lately.
Since Week 9, Tennessee ranks 5th in Rush EPA.
During this stretch, the Titans are allowing only 52.5 Rush YDS/G and 2.69 YPC to RBs.
TOUGH spot for Brian Robinson on the ground.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) November 30, 2024
This could be a game where the Commanders lean more on Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin, capping Robinson’s ceiling.