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John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterSep 25, 2024, 05:17 PM ET
- John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
PHOENIX — Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler won’t play at Arizona on Sunday because of a concussion, coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday.
Ekeler suffered a concussion in the third quarter of Monday’s 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Commanders flew to Arizona the next morning, but Ekeler returned to Virginia, where the team trains.
Defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee) also was ruled out for Sunday.
Ekeler, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason after seven years with the Chargers, was a key part of the offense in the first three games.
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For the season, he has caught nine passes for 121 yards and carried the ball 13 times for 83 yards, including a 24-yard scoring run vs. the Bengals. He also returned a kickoff 62 yards Monday.
Quinn said the Commanders would miss Ekeler’s “general playmaking ability. Very few people have the chance to take a checkdown for 5 or 6 yards and it ends up 20 yards. He brings a lot to the team in terms of energy, what he brings to the return side. We’ll miss him, no doubt. … It’s up to other people to step up around his position.”
Brian Robinson will remain as the primary back, but Washington liked to pair the two together at times. Quinn has praised Robinson often for his pass-catching ability.
Jeremy McNichols can serve as a third-down back — his blitz pickup on third-and-7 late Monday was a key to giving quarterback Jayden Daniels enough time to complete a 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Terry McLaurin.
Washington also has running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. on the practice squad.
Ferrell did not play Monday, but Quinn anticipates him being ready for the Week 5 game vs. Cleveland.
