Austin Ekeler has been everything the Washington Commanders expected when they signed him early in free agency. Ekeler has contributed big plays to the running game, passing game and as Washington’s primary kick returner.
But this season has also been a struggle for the eight-year veteran. In a Week 3 win at Cincinnati, Ekeler suffered a concussion and missed the following week.
He returned in Week 5, but at the end of Washington’s Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Ekeler suffered another concussion. The Commanders placed Ekeler on injured reserve, meaning he would miss at least the next four games.
Ekeler has joined the “Grant and Danny” show all season long on 106.7 The Fan after Washington games. While he didn’t appear last week, Ekeler returned to the show on Tuesday to give an update.
“Definitely went through it there for a little bit, just with the concussion symptoms and trying to just get through the fogginess feeling, but definitely trending in the right direction,” Ekeler said Lou DiPietro of Audacy. “Now just still dealing with some repercussions of the hit, but trending in the right direction.”
It’s excellent news that Ekeler is trending in the right direction. However, the situation was touch and go last week in the days immediately after he suffered the concussion.
“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. 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,” Ekeler said.
Ekeler then said his memory returned, and he remembered everything from that point forward.
Ekeler praised Washington’s medical staff, head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters for prioritizing his health over the team’s needs.
Part of the reason the Commanders placed Ekeler on IR is that he’s also dealing with neck pain since the concussion. Being on IR with Washington and also having a bye week allows Ekeler extra time to recover. But with head or neck injuries, there are no timetables. Ekeler confirmed he’s “week-to-week” and remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol program.
Ekeler also acknowledged the unknowns of concussions. Because he’s suffered two this season, does that make him more susceptible to a third concussion?
In their first game without Ekeler, the Commanders defeated the Tennessee Titans 42-19 to end a three-game losing streak. Washington rushed for 267 yards in the win.
