Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (30) stiff-arms Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (58) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

An MRI has confirmed what the Washington Commanders and their fans feared. According to a report from NFL Network, Commanders veteran running back Austin Ekeler has suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.

Ekeler is in his second year with the Commanders after spending the last seven with the Los Angeles Chargers. Productivity has been down in Washington, but at 30 years old, Ekeler was still capable of being the dual-threat running back as in years past.

In his 12 games with Washington last season, Ekeler carried the ball 77 times for 367 yards and four touchdowns, while catching 35 passes for 366 yards out of the backfield. Now, Washington must rely on 7th-round rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt to carry the load, along with Jeremy McNichols. Before the start of the season, the Commanders sent their backup running back from last year, Brian Robinson Jr., to the San Francisco 49ers.

Robinson would play great last year as a backup on the depth chart, rushing for 800 yards and 8 touchdowns. But the Commanders thought that Ekeler would be the one to propel them this year.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler suffers grim setback

Reporting by Josh Petry, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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