Not many expected Austin Ekeler to see the field again in 2024 after the serious concussion he sustained against the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Dan Quinn's recent update indicated that all hope is not lost just yet.
Ekeler's been an outstanding addition to the Washington Commanders this season. The veteran running back's ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, kick return prowess, and leadership within the locker room were significant assets to call upon. Losing him to a vicious hit was a bitter blow.
The former undrafted free agent out of Colorado State was brutally honest about his symptoms. Ekeler suffered memory loss and was still having headaches almost a week after the collision. The Commanders rightfully placed him on injured reserve, avoiding any unnecessary confusion regarding his short-term status.
Washington is giving Ekeler the time he needs to fully recover. He's eligible to come off injured reserve next week, but Quinn and his staff will approach the topic with extreme caution. If there are any lingering doubts about what another big hit could do to the player, they'll keep him out of the firing line.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn provided hope for Austin Ekeler
Quinn seemed optimistic about Ekeler's status. He's still around the team and is working out without being involved in official team practices. If the same trend continues, a situation could emerge where the player can offer assistance when the postseason arrives.
"Absolutely possible. Yeah. So, Austin is definitely trending in the right way. Workouts are going great. He’s in meetings; he’s doing all the stuff with us. So yeah, we’re certainly optimistic, and we’ll just play the whole thing out. But like you said, the earliest that he would begin is next week. But, it’s been encouraging to see the progress that he’s made."Dan Quinn via USA Today Sports
The Commanders are focused on securing their place in the knockout stages before anything else. They can do so by beating the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football this weekend, which would also allow them an extra sense of flexibility with Ekeler's status along the way.
If the Commanders win this weekend, the chances of some established starters being rested for their regular-season finale at the Dallas Cowboys are high. Washington might open Ekeler's 21-day practice window, but there would be no need to put him in harm's way in Week 18.
That gives Ekeler another fortnight to rest and get himself ready for the wildcard round, potentially versus the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. The savvy veteran is experienced enough to know how to prepare his body despite missing a few games. At the same time, coming in rusty for such a high-stakes contest could complicate matters.
It's a fluid situation. The Commanders have a process Ekeler must get through before he can participate again. He also needs to pass the NFL's concussion protocols before returning to the gridiron in some capacity.
Having Ekeler suiting up for Washington's playoff return would be a bonus. He's a dependable outlet for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. That will be more essential than ever when the margins for error get finer in the postseason.
Whether this scenario comes to fruition or not has yet to be determined. But there is more hope after Quinn's latest revelations.
