Austin Ekeler
#1 RB,
Commanders
ACTUAL 2022
373 FPTS
RANK: 1
2023 SEASON
305 FPTS
RANK: 2
AGE
28 yrs
HEIGHT/WEIGHT
5'10'' / 200 lbs
COLLEGE
Western Colorado
| SEASON | GP | FPTS | RANK | RUATT | RUYD | RUTD | RUAVE | RECPT | REYD | RETD |
| 2023 | 16 | 305 | 2nd | 201 | 888 | 8 | 4.4 | 85 | 619 | 4 |
| 2022 | 17 | 373 | 1th | 204 | 915 | 13 | 4.5 | 107 | 722 | 5 |
| 3yr Ave | 14 | 271 | 7th | 151 | 666 | 5 | 4.41 | 72 | 681 | 6 |
Limited Wednesday
Published: 2024-10-09
Ekeler (heel) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.
Ekeler was productive in his return from a one-game absence this past Sunday against the Browns, turning eight touches into 97 yards from scrimmage while pacing Commanders running backs with a 49 percent snap share. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson fell back to No. 2 due to a lingering knee injury on his way to seven carries for 18 yards and two touchdowns, and Jeremy McNichols had seven rushes for 44 yards and one TD. Robinson again didn't practice Wednesday, so assuming the entire trio is able to suit up Sunday in Baltimore, a similar breakdown of reps may come to pass in that contest.
Weekly Stats 2022
Stats not availablePerformance Splits: 2020 to 2022
| Fantasy Points | Rushing Averages | Receiving Averages | ||||||||||||||||
| LOCATION | STADIUM | GP | GS | GM | TOUCH | RANK | YD | TD | AVE | YAC% | 10+ | 20+ | 50+ | REC | YD | TD | ||
| Home | Outdoor | 22 | 22 | 22.5 | 1.26 | 1st | 59 | 0.8 | 4.8 | 49% | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 5.5 | 45 | 0.3 | ||
| Away | Outdoor | 14 | 14 | 16.0 | 0.97 | 7th | 50 | 0.2 | 4.2 | 41% | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 4.8 | 37 | 0.3 | ||
| Away | Dome | 3 | 3 | 18.0 | 1.02 | 12th | 53 | 0.3 | 4.1 | 54% | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 40 | 0.3 | ||
| Away | Retractable Dome | 4 | 4 | 27.0 | 1.38 | 3rd | 49 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 36% | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 7.0 | 36 | 0.8 | ||
Career Stats by Season: 2017 to 2022
| Fantasy Points | Rushing Stats | Receiving Stats | ||||||||||||||||||
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | GP | GS | TOTAL | RANK | ATT | YD | TD | AVE | YAC% | 10+ | 20+ | 50+ | SHARE | REC | YD | TD | ||
| 2017 | 22 | LAC | 16 | 0 | 107 | 44th | 47 | 260 | 2 | 5.5 | 46% | 7 | 3 | 0 | 11% | 27 | 279 | 3 | ||
| 2018 | 23 | LAC | 14 | 3 | 169 | 25th | 106 | 554 | 3 | 5.2 | 63% | 19 | 4 | 0 | 27% | 39 | 404 | 3 | ||
| 2019 | 24 | LAC | 16 | 8 | 309 | 4th | 132 | 557 | 3 | 4.2 | 58% | 15 | 4 | 0 | 36% | 92 | 993 | 8 | ||
| 2020 | 25 | LAC | 10 | 10 | 165 | 26th | 116 | 530 | 1 | 4.6 | 49% | 15 | 2 | 0 | 25% | 54 | 403 | 2 | ||
| 2021 | 26 | LAC | 16 | 16 | 344 | 2nd | 206 | 911 | 12 | 4.4 | 48% | 22 | 3 | 0 | 49% | 70 | 647 | 8 | ||
| 2022 | 27 | LAC | 17 | 17 | 373 | 1st | 204 | 915 | 13 | 4.5 | 42% | 22 | 4 | 2 | 51% | 107 | 722 | 5 | ||
Falls short of 100 scrimmage yards
Published: 2024-10-06
Ekeler carried the ball six times for 67 yards and caught both his targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Browns.
Despite the low touch volume, Ekeler produced a season-best yardage total in his return from a concussion that cost him last week's win over the Cardinals. The former Charger might have had an even bigger day from a fantasy perspective, but Washington's three rushing TDs from inside the five-yard line went to Brian Robinson (two) and Jeremy McNichols (one) instead. Ekeler is showing he's got plenty left in the tank after his rough 2023 campaign with the Bolts, and through his first five games as a Commander he's averaging an eye-popping 7.9 yards per carry, albeit on only 19 totes. He'll look to keep rolling in Week 6 against the Ravens.
Clears concussion protocol
Published: 2024-10-04
Ekeler cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Browns on Sunday, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
Meanwhile, backfield mate Brian Robinson (knee) is said to be "trending in the right direction" but could be headed for a game-time decision. A Robinson absence would set up Ekeler for his largest workload of the season, with Jeremy McNichols potentially also having a significant role again after filling in for Ekeler during last week's win at Arizona.
Gets back to full practice Thursday
Published: 2024-10-03
Ekeler (concussion) practiced in full Thursday.
Ekeler returned to drills this week for the first time since he sustained a concussion Week 3, and he increased his activity level from limited Wednesday to all activity Thursday. Per John Keim of ESPN.com, Ekeler even was spotted without a yellow non-contact jersey Thursday, signaling that he's been cleared for contact. Still, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to suit up Sunday in Seattle. Because Brian Robinson (knee) hasn't practiced this week, there's a chance Ekeler will take on a significant role this weekend, assuming he's active and the former is inhibited or sits out.
Limited in return to practice
Published: 2024-10-02
Ekeler (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity.
Ekeler left midway through the Commanders' Week 3 win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and the issue didn't allow him to practice at all last week before he missed this past Sunday's contest at Arizona. Coach Dan Quinn told John Keim of ESPN.com earlier Wednesday that the "arrows are pointing up" for Ekeler, and his return to practice, even in a capped fashion, has set him on a path to suiting up again. In the end, though, Ekeler must gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to be able to play Sunday against the Browns.
Tracking towards playing
Published: 2024-10-01
Ekeler (concussion) expects to be back on the field in Week 5 versus the Browns, Grant Paulsen of The Athletic reports.
Ekeler was unavailable for the team's Week 4 win over the Cardinals due to a concussion and the running back is still working his way through league protocols. Ekeler said Tuesday that he is "feeling more like himself" and his status on the team's injury report throughout the week will be worth monitoring.
Out Week 4 with concussion
Published: 2024-09-25
Coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday that Ekeler (concussion) won't be available for Sunday's game at Arizona, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Ekeler was removed from Monday's win at Cincinnati due to a concussion, and Quinn revealed Tuesday that the running back also was dealing with a laceration to his ear, per Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site. With his lack of availability already confirmed for Week 4, Ekeler's next chance to suit up is Sunday, Oct. 6 against the Browns. In Ekeler's absence, Brian Robinson likely stands to handle a greater share of Washington's backfield, while Jeremy McNichols and practice-squad members Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley will be candidates ti fill in behind Robinson.
Dealing with concussion, cut on ear
Published: 2024-09-24
Head coach Dan Quinn said that Ekeler sustained a concussion as well as a laceration to his ear during Monday's 38-33 win over the Bengals, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.
The team had already confirmed that Ekeler entered the NFL's concussion protocol after hitting his head during the third quarter Monday, resulting in his early exit from the contest. The ear laceration hadn't been reported, but clearing the five-step protocol will likely be Ekeler's chief concern as he aims to be available for the Commanders' Week 4 game Sunday in Arizona. If Ekeler is ruled out for Week 4, the Commanders could lean more heavily on lead back Brian Robinson in the passing game, while No. 3 back Jeremy McNichols could also carve out a more substantial change-of-pace role.
Out with concussion
Published: 2024-09-23
Ekeler will not return to Monday's matchup with the Bengals after sustaining a concussion, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
Ekeler took a handoff in the red zone during the third quarter of Monday's contest and subsequently exited the game. He had tallied 57 total yards and one touchdown prior to sustaining the injury. He will need to clear the league's concussion protocol at some point during the week in order to avoid a Week 4 absence in Arizona.