AUSTIN EKELER NEWS

Cowboys and Commanders ride losing streaks into the NFC East rivals' first meeting this season

The Washington Commanders host the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East rivals' first meeting of the season

3 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leading receiver in loss Ekeler rushed twice for seven yards and secured eight of nine targets for 89 yards in the Commanders' 26-18 loss to the Eagles. He also committed a fumble recovered by Washington.

Impact Ekeler was a non-factor on the ground after back-to-back games with double-digit rush attempts, with Brian Robinson healthy and logging 16 carries. However, Ekeler did finish as the team leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets, with all three components also serving as season highs. Ekeler is likely to be a bit more involved in the ground attack and remain a key complementary target at minimum during a favorable Week 12 home matchup against the Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 24.

NOVEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to backup role Ekeler likely will return to a backup role with Brian Robinson (hamstring) set to play Thursday at Philadelphia, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Impact Ekeler's workload was perhaps disappointing during Robinson's two-game absence -- 14 touches in each game -- but a trio of one-yard touchdowns got the job done for fantasy managers. With Robinson back in action, Ekeler is unlikely to continue his goal-line-TD binge but should take most of the snaps in passing situations while also subbing in for some carries.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Scores twice Ekeler rushed the ball 13 times for 44 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Steelers. He added one reception on two targets for seven yards.

Impact Ekeler drew his second straight start with Brian Robinson (hamstring) sidelined. Only one of his rush attempts went for double-digit yardage, though he made his day with a pair of one-yard touchdown runs. Ekeler was curiously uninvolved as a pass catcher, though that part of his game could return if Robinson can re-take the field in Week 11 against the Eagles, in turn pushing Ekeler back into a complementary role.

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is out against the Steelers with a hamstring injury

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. will not play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a hamstring injury

NOVEMBER 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another start likely Sunday Ekeler may be in line to lead the Commanders backfield Sunday against the Steelers with Brian Robinson (hamstring) ruled out for the contest, Zach Selby of the team's official site...

Impact With Robinson sidelined Week 9 at the Giants, Ekeler started and paced Washington running backs with 47 percent of the snaps, while Jeremy McNichols took 39 percent and Chris Rodriguez handled 32 percent. The breakdown of touches was a different story, at least for the reserves. Ekeler earned 11 touches (for 83 yards from scrimmage and a rushing TD) to Rodriguez's 11 (all carries for 52 yards) and McNichols' eight (all rushes for 20 yards). Rodriguez has been elevated three times this season, so he'll need to be signed to the active roster Saturday in order to vie with Ekeler and McNichols for work Sunday.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Balanced offense and improved defense got the Washington Commanders to 7-2

The Washington Commanders are 7-2 and atop the NFC East not just because of quarterback Jayden Daniels' stellar rookie year

NOVEMBER 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Solid performance without Robinson Ekeler rushed the ball 11 times for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Giants. He added three receptions on four targets for 41 yards.

Impact Ekeler saw his highest carry total of the season in the absence of Brian Robinson (hamstring). He accounted for the majority of his production on the ground on Washington's first drive of the second quarter, during which he delivered rushes of 20 and five yards as well as a one-yard touchdown plunge. Ekeler supplemented that with his work as a receiver, highlighted by a 28-yard catch and run to help set up a game-clinching field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Robinson was able to practice in limited fashion throughout the week, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action in Week 10 against the Steelers. In turn, that would relegate Ekeler to a change-of-pace role.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Solid performance without Robinson Ekeler rushed the ball 11 times for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Giants. He added three receptions on four targets for 41 yards.

Impact Ekeler saw his highest carry total of the season in the absence of Brian Robinson (hamstring). He accounted for the majority of his production on the ground on Washington's first drive of the second quarter, during which he delivered rushes of 20 and five yards as well as a one-yard touchdown plunge. Ekeler supplemented that with his work as a receiver, highlighted by a 28-yard catch and run to help set up a game-clinching field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Robinson was able to practice in limited fashion throughout the week, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in action in Week 10 against the Steelers. In turn, that would relegate Ekeler to a change-of-pace role.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Daniels leads Commanders to 27-22 win over Giants for their best start since 1996

Sensational rookie Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes to Terry McLaurin, and the Washington Commanders beat the bumbling New York Giants 27-22 for their best start to a seas...

NOVEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Commanders leading rusher Brian Robinson inactive with hamstring injury

Washington Commanders leading rusher Brian Robinson was inactive for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants

NOVEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

In line for start with Robinson out Ekeler is expected to be the Commanders' primary running back Sunday at the Giants with Brian Robinson (hamstring) inactive.

Impact Robinson's practice reps were capped this week due to a hamstring injury, and after a pregame warmup didn't yield the desired results for game day, Washington opted to keep him on the sideline. The situation opens the door for Ekeler to lead the backfield for the second time this season, but in the other such outing (Week 6 at Baltimore), he tallied 68 yards from scrimmage on 13 touches. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez also will be on hand for snaps behind Ekeler.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Anatomy of a Hail Mary: How Jayden Daniels and the Commanders beat the buzzer

The Washington Commanders executed a Hail Mary to perfection to beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday

OCTOBER 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Totals 58 yards Ekeler rushed the ball seven times for 52 yards in Sunday's 18-15 win over the Bears. He added two receptions on three targets for six yards.

Impact Ekeler continued to serve as the change-of-pace back in Washington, seeing half the carries of Brian Robinson. His stat line oversells his production considerably, as he tallied a 29-yard rush on a meaningless play just before halftime. He was also oddly quiet as a pass catcher, and he's now been held to single-digit receiving yards for consecutive games.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 58 yards Ekeler rushed the ball seven times for 52 yards in Sunday's 18-15 win over the Bears. He added two receptions on three targets for six yards.

Impact Ekeler continued to serve as the change-of-pace back in Washington, seeing half the carries of Brian Robinson. His stat line oversells his production considerably, as he tallied a 29-yard rush on a meaningless play just before halftime. He was also oddly quiet as a pass catcher, and he's now been held to single-digit receiving yards in consecutive games.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Limited due to game script Ekeler rushed the ball four times for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers. He added two receptions on two targets for three yards.

Impact Ekeler returned to his typical role as the change-of-pace back behind Brian Robinson, though game script dictated that he was sidelined for the final 19 minutes of the contest. Washington maintained a significant lead throughout the game, also limiting its pass attempts and cutting into Ekeler's primary way to contribute to the offense. The Commanders will face a much more difficult task in Week 8 against the Bears, so Ekeler should be asked to make more of an impact.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Limited due to game script Ekeler rushed the ball four times for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-7 win over the Panthers. He added two receptions on two targets for three yards.

Impact Ekeler returned to his typical role as the change-of-pace back behind Brian Robinson, though game script dictated that he was sidelined for the final 19 minutes of the contest. Washington maintained a significant lead throughout the game, also limiting its pass attempts and cutting into Ekeler's primary way to contribute to the offense. The Commanders will face a much more difficult task in Week 8 against the Bears, so Ekeler should be asked to make more of an impact.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Brian Robinson Jr. is aiming to return from his knee injury when the Commanders host the Panthers

Brian Robinson Jr. is aiming to return for the Washington Commanders on Sunday when they host the Carolina Panthers

OCTOBER 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Can't get going on ground Sunday Ekeler carried the ball nine times for 21 yards and caught four of five targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Ravens.

Impact Baltimore's run defense didn't allow a run of 10 or more yards all game, and Jayden Daniels wound up leading Washington in rushing yards with a mere 22. Ekeler still salvaged some fantasy value through the air, and he's hauled in multiple passes in all five of his games to begin the season, with Sunday's five targets being a season high. If Brian Robinson (knee) isn't able to return in Week 7, Ekeler could be a lot busier next week against the Panthers.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Set for more work Ekeler is poised to operate as the team's main running back after Brian Robinson (knee) was ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest.

Impact Typically when a team loses a starting running back to injury it tries to mix and match to replace the production. Ekeler at least has the career pedigree to step in seamlessly as the three-down workhorse, even if he can't replicate Brian Robinson's bludgeoning rushing style. Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez will likely both spell Ekeler at times, but the longtime Chargers do-it-all back will have an opportunity for a vintage performance against the Ravens, who've allowed the eighth-most receiving yards to opposing running backs through five weeks.

OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Must-see QBs face off when Jayden Daniels and the Commanders visit Lamar Jackson and the Ravens

Jayden Daniels and the red-hot Washington Commanders visit Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the most anticipated NFL game of the weekend

OCTOBER 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets back to full practice Thursday Ekeler (heel) practiced in full Thursday.

Impact Ekeler followed up Wednesday's capped session with all activity one day later, indicating his heel issue isn't too much of a concern. At the same time, fellow RB Brian Robinson has yet to practice this week due to a lingering knee injury. Robinson was able to suit up this past Sunday versus the Browns, but snaps and touches were spread among him, Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols. A similar breakdown of reps between the trio is likely to occur Sunday in Baltimore if Robinson again is active.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Ekeler (heel) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.

Impact Ekeler was productive in his return from a one-game absence this past Sunday against the Browns, turning eight touches into 97 yards from scrimmage while pacing Commanders running backs with a 49 percent snap share. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson fell back to No. 2 due to a lingering knee injury on his way to seven carries for 18 yards and two touchdowns, and Jeremy McNichols had seven rushes for 44 yards and one TD. Robinson again didn't practice Wednesday, so assuming the entire trio is able to suit up Sunday in Baltimore, a similar breakdown of reps may come to pass in that contest.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Falls short of 100 scrimmage yards Ekeler carried the ball six times for 67 yards and caught both his targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 34-13 win over the Browns.

Impact Despite the low touch volume, Ekeler produced a season-best yardage total in his return from a concussion that cost him last week's win over the Cardinals. The former Charger might have has even bigger day from a fantasy perspective, but Washington's three rushing TDs from inside the five-yard line went to Brian Robinson (two) and Jeremy McNichols (one) instead. Ekeler is showing he's got plenty left in the tank after his rough 2023 campaign with the Bolts, and through his first five games as a Commander he's averaging an eye-popping 7.9 yards per carry, albeit on only 19 totes. He'll look to keep rolling in Week 6 against the Ravens.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders rout the Browns 34-13 to win their 4th in a row

Jayden Daniels bounced back from an early interception with the longest touchdown pass of his young NFL career as he and the Washington Commanders routed the Cleveland Browns 34-13...

OCTOBER 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS