A Devastating Blow on Thursday Night Football
The Washington Commanders’ Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers on September 11, 2025, took a somber turn late in the fourth quarter when veteran running back Austin Ekeler suffered a serious non-contact injury. The 30-year-old back was running a route when he suddenly fell to the turf while attempting to make a cut, immediately grabbing his lower right leg. The nature of the injury drew immediate concern from players and analysts alike.
Ekeler was unable to put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the field by the medical staff. After a brief evaluation on the sideline, he was carted to the locker room. The Commanders quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the game, officially announcing an Achilles injury, a diagnosis that casts a dark cloud over his season and potentially his career.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The injury occurred away from the play in what appeared to be a routine moment. Replays showed Ekeler planting his foot to change direction before collapsing, a classic mechanism for a torn Achilles tendon. Before exiting, Ekeler had carried the ball eight times for 17 yards and caught two passes for seven yards.
This is a particularly cruel blow for Ekeler, who is in the final year of his contract. After spending the first eight years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, he signed with Washington in March 2024 to be a key offensive weapon for second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. An injury of this magnitude at this stage of his career presents a formidable challenge for the veteran running back.
Interestingly, Ekeler had been listed on the injury report earlier in the week with a shoulder issue that limited him in practice. However, he was cleared to play and carried no injury designation heading into the primetime contest, which, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com, was a showdown between two undefeated teams to kick off Week 2.
Impact on the Commanders’ Backfield
With Ekeler sidelined indefinitely, the Commanders will be forced to turn to their younger running backs to carry the load. The spotlight now shines brightly on rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, nicknamed “Bill,” who had already generated significant buzz.
Croskey-Merritt made a strong impression in Week 1 against the New York Giants, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. His performance had already led to speculation about a potential timeshare, but he is now expected to step into a much larger role as the team’s primary ball carrier. The Commanders’ running back depth chart also includes:
- Jeremy McNichols
- Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Rodriguez was a healthy scratch for the game against the Packers, but he will likely be activated to provide depth and could assume short-yardage and goal-line duties. The team may also explore the free-agent market for a veteran presence if Ekeler’s injury is confirmed to be season-ending.
The night was a tough one for Washington on the injury front, as defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. was also carted off the field in the second quarter with a quadriceps injury. As the team awaits further news on Ekeler’s condition, the focus shifts to how they will adapt their offense without one of their key veteran leaders.
