So, get this: Free-agent running back Austin Ekeler had a workout with the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, and according to ESPN’s Mike Kaye, it “went well.” You’d think that’d be great news for a team in desperate need of a pulse in their backfield, right? But hold onto your hats, because Ekeler *won’t* sign with the Panthers right now. What gives?
Carolina’s RB Room Is Down to Bare Bones
This whole Ekeler situation is blowing up because the Panthers’ running back room is, frankly, a catastrophe. They just placed Jonathon Brooks on injured reserve after he underwent core muscle surgery. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed Brooks is out for six to eight weeks. And get this: second-year back Trevor Etienne is *also* on injured reserve. That leaves them with just AJ Dillon as the only available depth option behind starter Chuba Hubbard on the active roster. Seriously? That’s not just thin; that’s skeletal. They are staring down a Week 3 matchup with the Cleveland Browns, a team that’s giving up a whopping 131.5 rush yards per game, ranking them 26th in the NFL. You’d think they’d be tripping over themselves to lock Ekeler down.
Ekeler’s Resume Is Legit, But the Health Question Looms
Let’s be real, Ekeler is exactly the kind of veteran presence this depleted Panthers’ backfield needs. The dude has played in 117 games over his nine years in the league, mostly with the Los Angeles Chargers. He absolutely established himself as a double threat, both on the ground and catching passes out of the backfield. From 2019 to 2023, Ekeler racked up 6,742 all-purpose yards and found the end zone 58 times, all while averaging 5.6 yards per touch. He even surpassed 400 receiving yards in *each* of those seasons. Certified playmaker, for sure. He moved to the Washington Commanders for the 2024 season and was their starting back for 2025, but then a torn Achilles in Week 2 sidelined him for the rest of that year. Good news is, he was fully cleared for all football activities back on April 30. He’s ready to go.
So, while the Panthers aren’t signing Ekeler today, the door is apparently still open for an agreement down the line. You have to wonder what they’re thinking, heading into Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET game against a Browns defense that’s so soft against the run. If they don’t get some help in that backfield, and fast, things are only going to get uglier. This situation needs a resolution, and a win, ASAP.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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