Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler is eligible to return from injured reserve ahead of next week’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. It’s fitting that Ekeler could potentially return against the Cowboys as it was at the end of the game against Dallas in Week 12 when Ekeler suffered his second concussion of the season.
Before Ekeler was injured, he was among Washington’s top receivers and rushers. Early this season, Ekeler was a critical part of the Commanders’ passing game with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Washington was in a bit of an offensive tailspin at the time of Ekeler’s injury. However, the Commanders have won all three games that Ekeler has missed.
Shortly after his injury, Ekeler offered a scary update on his second concussion this season.
“I think it’s important to kind of diagnose the magnitude of the situation – like, I didn’t even remember how I got off the field,” Ekeler said earlier this month in an appearance on “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C.
“I remember kind of coming to, but I had some short-term memory loss, and all I remember was my wife was sitting in the room, and I was getting evaluated by our medical staff in the back room.”
The Commanders host the Falcons this week with a chance to clinch a playoff berth. Is it possible for Ekeler to return next week?
“Absolutely possible,” head coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday. “Yeah. So, Austin is definitely trending in the right way. Workouts are going great. He’s in meetings; he’s doing all the stuff with us. So yeah, we’re certainly optimistic, and we’ll just play the whole thing out. But like you said, the earliest that he would begin is next week. But, it’s been encouraging to see the progress that he’s made.”
That’s excellent news for the Commanders. If Ekeler is cleared ahead of next week and Washington clinches on Sunday, would the team sit him for Week 18 or hold him out until the playoff opener?
Regardless, the Commanders could be getting some key players back from IR, such as Ekeler and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
