The Washington Commanders could be without one of their top players in next week’s game at Arizona. Running back Austin Ekeler left in the third quarter of Monday night’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals and was taken to the locker room.
The team reported that Ekeler was being evaluated for a possible concussion. Ekeler was later ruled out for the remainder of the game, and head coach Dan Quinn offered no details on Ekeler after the game, but he said he would know more when he spoke to the media on Tuesday.
“Yeah, Austin had a concussion and also a laceration on his ear,” Quinn said Tuesday. “So, he went back to Virginia today to begin the concussion protocol. I’ll have more info as it goes toward the end of the week. Instead of coming out here to Arizona, he went back home to Virginia to begin that process.”
The Commanders flew directly to Arizona after Monday’s game in Cincinnati, where they’ll practice at Arizona State, instead of flying back home and then out West later in the week. It’s a practice NFL teams have been doing for a few years now for cross-country road trips.
Before his injury, Ekeler was a big part of Washington’s offensive success in the 38-33 win. Ekeler caught two passes for 22 yards, rushed three times for 35 yards and a touchdown, and returned the second-half kickoff 62 yards to set the Commanders up with excellent field position.
If Ekeler can’t go, veteran Jeremy McNichols will fill his role behind Brian Robinson Jr., and the Commanders will likely elevate Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Michael Wiley from the practice squad.
