Despite a less-than-stellar defense, the Washington Commanders are firmly on their way to the playoffs. While rookie Jayden Daniels has gotten a majority of the credit for an electric offense, and rightfully so, their run game has been equally impressive. With the combination of Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, the team has been able to get down and dirty with abandon.
But Ekeler has been out the last four weeks with an injury. As a pivotal clash against the Atlanta Falcons with major playoff implications comes up in Week 17, is Ekeler ready to go?
What Is Austin Ekeler’s Injury?
It has been a rough season for Ekeler, who’s taken a pounding rushing the ball. Earlier in the year, he went down with a concussion in Week 3. Against the Cincinnati Bengals, he was able to partake in just 13 snaps before being taken off the field. Thankfully, the situation didn’t last long, with Ekeler returning in Week 5.
Unfortunately, in Week 12, the concussion bug hit him again. Against a physical Dallas Cowboys defense in an always rough divisional game, Ekeler once again went down with a concussion, this time on a kick return. Immediately out of the game, he is yet to make his return to the field.
The Commanders, who have a playoff run to worry about as well, have been cautious with Ekeler. Placing him on injured reserve ensured that he would be out for an extended period of time (at least four games). But it might also ensure that Washington has their one-two punch back in time for the postseason.
When Will Austin Ekeler Return From Injury?
After going down in Week 12 to a concussion against the Cowboys, Ekeler has yet to see minutes on the field. Being placed on the IR list, he is guaranteed to miss four games, starting from Week 13.
That timeline would have made him a probable return in Week 17. However, a bye week in Week 14 added a week to his return timeline as well. As a result, it might be fait accompli that he returns against the very same Cowboys in a Week 18 clash.
Depending on how Week 17 shakes out for Washington, the game could sway between wildly critical or hilariously unimportant.
Even head coach Dan Quinn is optimistic that he will return from the IR list before the season ends. If and when he does return, Ekeler should give the Commanders another look to an already potent offense.
How Has Ekeler’s Absence Impacted the Commanders?
At full strength, the Commanders had the fantastic combo of Robinson and Ekeler, without mentioning the running ability of Daniels himself. But in the absence of Ekeler, they’ve had to rely on Jeremy McNichols to provide alternate snaps.
Even though he was having a relatively quiet season, Ekeler was still good for over 350 yards in just 11 games played. For a three-headed running monster like the Commanders, that dynamic was part of the offensive balance.
Robinson has been heavily responsible for making up for Ekeler’s absence in the lineup. While he has far more yards (729) than Ekeler, as is to be expected from the team’s RB1, his role continues to increase with Ekeler out of the rotation.