The Commanders just made it official: Austin Ekeler is back in Washington! The team announced they’ve re-signed Ekeler, who spent the last two seasons with the club, which is huge news considering what he’s been through.
Ekeler’s Return After a Brutal Achilles Tear
Listen, you hear “torn Achilles” and you think a player is done for a long, long time. But Ekeler, who suffered that brutal injury in Week 2 last season, is already back in the fold. That’s insane. This isn’t just some camp body, either. The guy showed out for Washington in 2024, playing in 12 games with six starts, racking up 733 yards from scrimmage, and punching in four total touchdowns. Coach Quinn didn’t mince words, saying, “We’ll get him into the mix and see what the next three days looks like.” It sounds like they’re ready to get him going ASAP. Quinn also called him “a great teammate and really one respected teammate here,” which just tells you how much the squad wanted him back. To be back this quickly after such a serious injury? That’s pure grit, man. You gotta respect it.
The Roster Domino Effect: Injuries Open Doors
Of course, making room for a player like Ekeler meant some tough news elsewhere. To get him on the active roster, the Commanders placed linebacker Leo Chenal on injured reserve. This isn’t just a bump or bruise, either. Chenal underwent season-ending neck surgery on Monday morning. Brutal. Quinn did say the surgery went well, which is good to hear, but still, losing a guy for the season like that stings. And to add another layer to the injury report, linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. also got placed on the practice squad injured list. It’s a reminder of how quickly things change in the NFL, where one player’s return from a massive injury means another is sidelined for the year.
So, Ekeler is back and ready to contribute. He’s got to shake off the rust, obviously, but the fact he’s even here after an Achilles tear is wild. This team is counting on him to jump right back in, and we’ll be watching to see how he changes things up for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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