Commanders RB Austin Ekeler suffers Achilles tendon tear vs Packers

Washington's nightmare on Thursday night got even worse when veteran running back Austin Ekeler went down with what appears to be a serious injury. Late in the fourth quarter of the Commanders' clash with Green Bay, Ekeler pulled up on a non-contact play while running a route out wide and immediately collapsed to the turf.

The 29-year-old couldn't put any weight on his right leg and needed help to the sideline, where he briefly sat on the bench before being carted to the locker room. The early fear inside the organization is that Ekeler tore his right Achilles, though the team will wait for Friday’s imaging to confirm the extent of the damage.

The injury news couldn’t have come at a worse time for Washington. Austin Ekeler, now in his second year with the Commanders after a long stint with the Chargers, had been counted on as the team’s most seasoned backfield option. Last season he chipped in 367 rushing yards and another 366 through the air, showcasing the dual-threat ability that made him such a valuable safety valve, especially for second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels on key third downs.

Unfortunately for Washington, Ekeler wasn't the only casualty on Thursday night. Veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr.also left the field on a cart after suffering a right quadriceps injury in the second quarter. The setback came when Wise broke through on a special-teams play to challenge an extra point, only for Green Bay linemen to topple backward onto his leg.

From a fantasy football perspective, Ekeler's expected season-ending absence shakes up the Commanders’ backfield picture. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt looks primed to take on a featured role, with his volume and upside making him an immediate waiver-wire priority. Jeremy McNichols should absorb more third-down and passing-game duties, while Chris Rodriguez Jr.could see his workload climb as part of the rotation.

The Commanders came into this season eager to turn the page on the past and keep their eyes fixed firmly ahead. But Thursday night in Green Bay served as a harsh reminder of just how difficult that can be.

This was not the same Washington squad that stunned the league with a run to the NFC Championship back in January. The final scoreline — 27-18 — suggested a closer contest than it really was. Outside of being within a touchdown early in the fourth, the Packers had their fingerprints all over this game from start to finish.

Green Bay’s defense stifled Jayden Daniels, stripping away the spark that made him so electric last year and bottling up an offense that had finished seventh in yardage just a season ago, holding them to a meager 230 total yards. On the other side of the ball, Washington’s defense was sliced open repeatedly, conceding 406 yards while surrendering explosive plays in bunches.

To pile on the misery, injuries hit the Commanders hard. Deatrich Wise Jr. went down with a quad issue, while Noah Brown and John Bates both exited with groin problems. To make matters worse, veteran back Austin Ekeler suffered an Achilles injury that could sideline him long-term.