Austin Ekeler’s return to the Washington Commanders did not look like a cameo.
After being signed back to the roster just a few days earlier, Ekeler traveled across the pond and logged 17 offensive snaps, good for 27%, in Washington’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt handled the biggest share of the workload with 29 snaps, or 45%, while rookie Kaytron Allen was on the field for 12 snaps, which came out to 19%.
That usage says plenty. One reading is that Washington already trusts a 31-year-old Ekeler who is working his way back from an Achilles tendon injury suffered in Week 2 of the 2025 season.
Another is that Allen may not be as established in the rotation as expected. Either way, Croskey-Merritt still owned the lead role, even if the production was modest across the board.
Ekeler made the most of his limited work, finishing with 4 carries for 29 yards. Croskey-Merritt had 9 carries for 15 yards. The numbers weren’t flashy for either back, but Ekeler’s snap count stood out considering how recently he rejoined the team.
The move was never really about replacing the current lead back. It was about adding another layer to the offense.
Still, the way the workload split played out is telling, especially with White set to return at some point. The backfield picture is going to move again once that happens.
Allen is the one whose spot looks most vulnerable right now. Ekeler arrived, got officially signed while the team was preparing for the London trip, and immediately jumped him in snaps. That’s a strong sign of how the staff views the veteran’s ability to contribute right away.
That makes the situation around rookie Robert Henry Jr. even more notable. Henry showed something in the preseason, but fumblitis got him cut and then re-signed to Washington’s practice squad.
Seattle then signed him away Monday. The Seahawks also passed on veteran Joe Mixon after his physical, which could leave room for Henry there.
Washington went the other direction, bringing back Ekeler and putting him ahead of Allen almost immediately.
The Commanders still seem committed to Croskey-Merritt as the top option, but Ekeler’s 27% snap share right out of the gate suggests the coaching staff believes he can help now. The expectation was always that he would provide experience, handle passing-down work and protection, and serve as a reliable veteran presence rather than return as a high-volume runner. The clearer answer on how Washington wants to divide the backfield will have to wait until White returns.
In Other News...
Giants Just Got A Tougher NFC East Problem To Prepare For
A rough afternoon in London left Washington with more than just a loss to the Colts. Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in Week 5, and the injury immediately changed the conversation around the Commanders offense after Marcus Mariota had already gone down and third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis was forced into action.
Dan Quinn said Daniels is on track to potentially return as soon as next week against the Giants, a development that would give Washington a much different look than it had overseas. For New York, it means preparing for a division opponent that may not be scrambling at quarterback for long, even if the recovery timeline still has to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Week 5 Injury Problem Fans Can't Ignore
The injury picture around Washington has shifted quickly enough to become a real Week 5 storyline, and it reaches across both sides of the ball. The Commanders are trying to manage hamstring strains for Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin, while Charles Omenihu is working through groin and ankle issues and Marcus Mariota is dealing with a sprained MCL. Jayden Daniels is still expected to start despite his own dislocated elbow, which gives the quarterback room at least some clarity even as the rest of the roster gets more complicated.
Nick Cross adds another layer after his illness and hospitalization, and the list of limited or sidelined players keeps the pressure on Washingtons depth. For a team already balancing injuries at receiver, along the defensive front and behind center, the concern is less about any one name than the cumulative effect on how the Commanders can actually function this week. The next update on availability may say plenty about how much margin this group still has left. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A QB Decision They Can't Ignore
Washingtons quarterback room got another look this week after the team brought in Jack Plummer for a workout following Marcus Mariotas injury. For now, though, the Commanders are not planning to add him, a sign they believe Mariotas absence will be short enough to avoid an injured reserve move. With Jayden Daniels also expected back soon from an elbow injury, the position remains in a holding pattern while the staff waits to see how the health of the room settles.
Dan Quinn has stayed upbeat through a stretch that has featured multiple injuries around the roster, and this latest quarterback wrinkle fits the same uneasy theme. The Commanders do not appear ready to make a roster move at the position yet, but they are clearly keeping options open as they navigate a week-to-week situation that could shift quickly depending on Mariota and Daniels. [Read more 🡒]