Coach Dan Quinn announced today that the Washington Commanders will be without running back Austin Ekeler for their Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Ekeler was injured during the third quarter of the Commanders’ 38-33 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. Following the win, the Commanders (2-1) headed directly to Arizona, but Ekeler did not travel with the team.
Austin Ekeler heading into the locker room with a possible concussion per the broadcast #NFL pic.twitter.com/xNvAukI8q7
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhifer) September 24, 2024
Austin Ekeler, who joined Washington on a one-year contract this summer after spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, had an impactful performance on Monday with three rushes for 35 yards and a touchdown, along with a 62-yard kickoff return. So far this season, he has recorded 13 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown, in addition to nine receptions for 121 yards.
Coach Dan Quinn acknowledged how much the team will miss Ekeler’s “playmaking ability,” noting that few players can turn a simple checkdown into a 20-yard gain. “He brings energy, and his contributions on the return side are invaluable,” Quinn said. “We’ll definitely miss him, but it’s up to others to step up in his absence.” (via ESPN’s John Keim)
.@AustinEkeler goes 24 yards for the TD!
📺: #WASvsCIN on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/CVzFptP3Ko— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024
Coach Dan Quinn also confirmed that defensive end Clelin Ferrell will be sidelined due to a knee injury.
Brian Robinson Jr. has been Washington’s primary running back this season, with 45 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The Commanders prefer to pair Robinson with Ekeler, but with Ekeler out, they’ll now look to Jeremy McNichols to help fill the gap.
Under new offensive coordinator and former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, Washington has been firing on all cylinders, scoring on every offensive possession over the last two weeks heading into Sunday’s game.
