The Washington Commanders’ search for answers in the run game may be leading them right back to a player they already know well.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the team is set to reunite with Austin Ekeler, with the move still pending a successful physical. It’s a notable swing by general manager Adam Peters, especially coming on the heels of Washington’s Week 3 upset over the Seattle Seahawks.
Ekeler first arrived before the 2024 season and quickly carved out a role as a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield. He then moved into the lead-back spot in 2025, but his season ended after just two games when he tore his Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers.
That injury shut down his year, and once his contract expired, Washington did not initially bring him back. But with the Commanders off to a sluggish start on the ground, Peters has now moved to add a familiar dual-threat option.
Ekeler has been pushing to get back into football shape, and the major hurdle was cleared this summer when he received the all-clear to resume football activities. There was at least some outside interest, too, with the Carolina Panthers bringing him in for a workout last week before leaving without a deal.
If his medical checks go as hoped, the Commanders will have their reunion.
There will still be some ramp-up time. Ekeler has to get comfortable in a new system under offensive coordinator David Blough, though his familiarity with Blough from last season should help him settle in faster than most newcomers. And for Washington’s current backs, that’s a clear message that production matters.
Even with the long layoff, Ekeler has a track record of delivering in the regular season. The extended absence could also work in his favor from a freshness standpoint, which matters for a running back at this stage of his career.
If Jacory Croskey-Merritt and the rest of the group don’t raise their level, Ekeler has the kind of skill set that can quickly cut into their snaps.
Washington spent the offseason moving away from aging veterans, and that was the right call. But Peters is now circling back to a trusted presence to help solve a problem spot.
The more usable bodies the Commanders have, the better.
It’s a move that at least makes sense on paper. Ekeler knows the organization, he bought into Dan Quinn’s culture, and if last year’s injury hadn’t intervened, he could have played a major role in the team’s plans.
Now he gets another shot to make up for lost time. For a player of Ekeler’s caliber, that may be enough.
In Other News...
Commanders First Win Already Comes With Two Major Roster Questions
The Commanders got the kind of early-season result that can steady a locker room, knocking off the Seahawks and ending Seattles 12-game winning streak. It was also the first chance to see how this roster might hold together after the opener, and Washington wasted no time making a move by signing running back Austin Ekeler to the 53-man roster.
Leo Chenals situation adds a much heavier layer to the celebration. The linebacker suffered a neck injury during the game, had successful surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the season, leaving Washington with an immediate hole to address on defense even as it tries to build on a win that should have felt like a clean starting point. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Taking A Real Risk With Jayden Daniels Now
Washington is choosing the short-term path with Jayden Daniels, and that alone tells you how much the Commanders still believe this season is alive. General manager Adam Peters said Daniels will not be placed on injured reserve after dislocating his left elbow again, with the team expecting him back in about three weeks. It is a notable call for a club that has already leaned on its rookie quarterback heavily, and it comes after Washington consulted multiple doctors before settling on a plan that keeps the door open for a quick return.
The decision also underscores just how much risk the Commanders are willing to absorb for the chance to keep Daniels on the field. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that surgery is likely after the season, but Daniels is putting that off so he can continue playing, a choice that has drawn some concern from NFL executives around the league. For Washington, the calculation is obvious: preserve the present, even if the future carries a heavier cost. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Mike Sainristil Problem In The Secondary
Mike Sainristils role in the Commanders secondary took an unusual hit in Week 3, when he was on the field for just 38.8 percent of Washingtons defensive snaps, the lowest workload of his pro career. The staff leaned more heavily on other corners, including Amik Robertson, Rasul Douglas and Fabian Moreau, which was a notable shift for a defender who has been part of the conversation in the back end since arriving in Washington.
The timing makes the situation more complicated, because Trey Amos is expected to come back from injured reserve and could add another body to an already crowded cornerback picture. Washingtons coaches have also been open about their concerns with Sainristils performance and consistency, so his place in the rotation now feels far less secure than it did earlier in the season. [Read more 🡒]