Commanders’ Austin Ekeler Suffers Massive Achilles Injury Against Packers, Season in Danger

The Washington Commanders signed Austin Ekeler last season after a seven-season stint with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Commanders’ Austin Ekeler Suffers Massive Achilles Injury Against Packers, Season in Danger

Austin Ekeler (Image via NFL.com)

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The Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler sustained a heartbreaking non-contact injury in the Commanders’ TNF loss to the Green Bay Packers. Early assumptions suggest that Ekeler sustained an Achilles tear which may result in an early season end for the running back.

With just under four minutes remaining, Ekeler lined up in the slot, chipped a defender, and began to turn upfield before collapsing without contact and clutching the back of his right lower leg. He was helped off, carted to the locker room, and quickly ruled out for the game. Ekeler had posted eight carries for 17 yards and two receptions for seven yards.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that an MRI will confirm the diagnosis, though optimism is low. Now in his ninth NFL season and second with the Commanders, Ekeler was limited to 12 games last year due to a concussion.

His absence is expected to open opportunities for rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt to take on a larger RB1A role, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr, who were inactive on Thursday, also likely to see increased reps.

Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Washington Commanders in a highly anticipated NFC clash. The Packers’ defense didn’t give the Commanders a chance, while Jordan Love threw 292 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-18 game at Lambeau Field. Meanwhile, Tucker Kraft matched his career high with six receptions, set a new personal best with 124 receiving yards, and hauled in his second touchdown in as many weeks.

The Packers’ win improved their record to 2-0, one step closer to the playoffs, and became the frontrunner to challenge the Philadelphia Eagles for a spot in the Super Bowl, according to Domonique Foxworth. The victory also cemented the Packers’ dominance over the Commanders at home.

The Packers have defeated Washington in seven straight home games. Washington’s most recent road win in the series came in 1988, a 20-17 victory at Milwaukee County Stadium. Their last triumph at Lambeau Field dates back to a 16-7 win in 1986.

The Commanders hope Jacory Croskey-Merritt might become the Austin Ekeler replacement

Rookie running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt has quickly become a fan favorite in Washington. He has earned a spot in the regular-season rotation, capturing attention with his dynamic play.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Image via The Washington Post)

In Week 1 against the New York Giants, he rushed 10 times for 82 yards and scored his first career touchdown, a performance that earned him NFL Rookie of the Week honors. The Northwest Stadium crowd celebrated the moment by chanting his nickname, “Bill! Bill! Bill!,” a testament to his early popularity.

Donald Hill-Eley, Croskey-Merritt’s head coach at Alabama State, remarked that fans would likely be chanting the rookie’s name for a long time. Croskey-Merritt said in conversation with the Washington Post after his debut game:

This is what I wanted. Just to be able to show the world that I can play football. I kind of knew what I was fighting for. I was fighting for moments like this, knowing it was going to come. And when it came, I was going to make sure I was ready.

Despite that breakout debut, questions arose after Week 2 about why offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury didn’t feature the rookie more prominently in a 27-10 loss to the Packers.

The Commanders’ offense struggled mightily, recording only four first downs in the first half and 15 overall against a ferocious Green Bay defense led by newly acquired pass rusher Micah Parsons. Croskey-Merritt received just four carries for 17 yards, matching the output of both Austin Ekeler and quarterback Jayden Daniels, but he averaged 4.2 yards per carry, double that of his teammates.

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