The Washington Commanders are bringing back a familiar face. Running back Austin Ekeler is set to return to Washington, with the team expected to sign him to the 53-man roster pending a physical, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The news broke Monday morning and came as a bit of a surprise, since Ekeler had gone unsigned all offseason.
A comeback from a season-ending injury
Ekeler’s last stretch in Washington ended abruptly. He tore his Achilles during a Thursday-night loss to the Packers, and an MRI confirmed the injury. The non-contact injury ended his season. He appeared in just two games in 2025, rushing for 43 yards on 14 carries and adding five receptions for 38 yards.
The 31-year-old is now fully healed from the tear. Before this reunion, he worked out for the Carolina Panthers last week, but he ended up back with his former club instead.
What he did the last time he was healthy
Ekeler was a useful piece of Washington’s 2024 run. He scored four touchdowns that year, helping lead the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. He was not without injury trouble even then, as he missed five games due to two concussions. He also contributed on special teams, where a productive year as a kick returner landed him on the AP’s second All-Pro team.
His resume before Washington is the stuff of underdog lore. Ekeler spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Chargers after going undrafted in 2017 out of Western Colorado. He topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage in four seasons there, and passed 1,500 yards three times.
A crowded backfield
The signing raises questions about where Ekeler fits. Washington’s running back room has been in flux. Rachaad White suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday’s win over the Seahawks, and Jeremy McNichols is already on injured reserve, leaving Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kaytron Allen as the healthy backs. That said, a team source says the signing isn’t related to White’s injury, and that White returned to the game after getting hurt.
Ekeler’s role is unclear for now. He was signed mostly for depth. Washington has used White as its third-down back, and Croskey-Merritt leads the team with 142 rushing yards this season. The backfield hasn’t found consistency through three weeks, which could open a door for a veteran with Ekeler’s pass-catching skills.
What to watch next
Ekeler’s debut could come soon and far from home. The Commanders face the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 9:30 a.m. Coach Dan Quinn was expected to address the move at a press conference Monday afternoon.
Fantasy managers shouldn’t get carried away. His return is likely to provide depth more than anything else, and it’s tough to see him getting enough touches to merit serious fantasy consideration. The larger question is whether a 31-year-old back coming off an Achilles tear can still deliver in the role that made him valuable: a dual-threat weapon who gets the ball in space.
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