Will Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler be playing for your fantasy football team in Week 5? With the outlook around Commanders starter Brian Robinson Jr. unclear, Ekeler could see extended action against the Cleveland Browns.
Will Austin Ekeler Be Active in Week 5?
Ekeler has been cleared from concussion protocol after missing Washington’s Week 4 contest against the Arizona Cardinals, and he will be active for the Commanders’ upcoming clash against Cleveland.
Ekeler left the team’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals early with concussion symptoms after running for 35 yards and a touchdown on three carries, as well as catching two passes for 22 yards.
.@AustinEkeler goes 24 yards for the TD!
📺: #WASvsCIN on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/CVzFptP3Ko— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024
The Commanders played it safe with Ekeler, and they were rewarded with his availability at the very start of Week 5 preparation. Ekeler was a full participant in practices from Wednesday onward, and he figures to re-enter the picture on offense this upcoming week.
Austin Ekeler’s Fantasy Outlook This Week
As long as Ekeler plays, he’ll be a quality complementary option for the Commanders’ offense. However, his fantasy football value is less clear, and it depends on the health of starting RB Robinson.
Robinson is listed as a game-time decision heading into the Commanders’ Week 5 contest against the Cleveland Browns. He appeared on the injury report at the beginning of the week with a knee injury, and he did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has said that Robinson is trending toward playing against Cleveland, but his status remains questionable, and a decision may not occur until the very last possible moment.
If Robinson ends up missing the Commanders’ game against Cleveland, then Ekeler is next in line to take a greater share of carries, along with third-string RB Jeremy McNichols. Though they’d share the workload, Ekeler’s versatility in the passing game would feasibly give him the nod.
In the scenario that Robinson is unavailable, Ekeler becomes a quality RB2 candidate, especially behind a Commanders offensive line that’s been playing well to start the year and alongside a rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels who’s been red-hot.