Austin Ekeler Re-Signs With Commanders

Free-agent running back Austin Ekeler is expected to sign with the Washington Commanders, pending a physical, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Ekeler played for Washington in 2024 and part of 2025 before a torn Achilles ended his season.

Ekeler worked out for the Carolina Panthers last week after the Panthers placed Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve with a core muscle injury. Carolina instead kept its existing group of Chuba Hubbard, AJ Dillon and Anthony Tyus. Ekeler will return to Washington instead of signing with Carolina.

Ekeler tore his Achilles on a non-contact play in Washington’s Week 2 game at Green Bay last season, on Sept. 11, 2025. He went on injured reserve four days later. He was medically cleared to return to football activity in April.

In 2024, Ekeler played 12 games with six starts for Washington. He rushed 77 times for 367 yards and four touchdowns and caught 35 passes on 41 targets for 366 yards. He spent seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017, before joining Washington in 2024.

Washington is unlikely to use Ekeler in a similar role this time. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been the team’s lead back on early downs. He carried 19 times for 36 yards and caught one pass for 7 yards in Sunday’s 33-31 win over Seattle, and has 47 carries for 142 yards and a touchdown through three games. Rachaad White has handled the passing-down work.

White left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury after three touches in the first half, including a receiving touchdown. He was listed as questionable to return, but came back in the third quarter and finished the game.

Washington won Sunday without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his elbow late in the first half of Washington’s Week 2 loss at Dallas. Daniels is not on injured reserve and is considered week-to-week. Backup Marcus Mariota started in his place and led the upset over the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

Washington is 1-2. The team lost its first two games, at Philadelphia and at Dallas, before beating Seattle.