The Washington Commanders are bringing back a familiar face.
To bolster their running back depth, the Commanders reportedly will sign veteran Austin Ekeler to their 53-man roster.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo first reported the news Monday morning.
Ekeler, 31, spent the last two seasons in Washington but ruptured his Achilles in Week 2 last September. He had four touchdowns in 12 games the year before, helping lead the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game.
Washington has primarily utilized Rachaad White and Jacory Croskey-Merritt out of the backfield this season, with those two combining for 69 carries and 242 rushing yards through three weeks. Rookie sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen has 40 yards on nine carries so far.
The Commanders are riding high after an upset win over the defending champion Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota led the charge with three touchdown passes, but the team struggled on the ground (2.6 yards per carry on 32 attempts).
It’s unclear how much work Ekeler will get in his return to Washington, but he could be impactful if he can stay on the field. Injuries have impacted his last three seasons, with ankle troubles in 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers, concussions in 2024 and the Achilles tear in 2025.
Ekeler spent the first seven NFL seasons with the Chargers after being undrafted in 2017 out of Western Colorado. He has 4,765 rushing yards, 4,288 receiving yards and 73 total touchdowns in his career.
Ekeler could make his season debut overseas, as the Commanders face the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is helping others succeed by providing tangible resources for the community. Through his foundation, Ekeler teamed up with former NFL star Jurrell Casey and New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to help renovate a 50-year-old high school weight room in Long Beach, Calif.
