Commanders Face Setback as Leading Rusher is Ruled Out Before Crucial ‘Battle of the Beltway
Even when the Washington Commanders receive unwelcome news, like losing their leading rusher ahead of a crucial Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, the outlook remains surprisingly optimistic. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Brian Robinson Jr. will miss the “Battle of the Beltway” on October 13, but the Commanders have a solid contingency plan in place with veteran running back Austin Ekeler stepping in.
Ekeler, who signed a two-year, $8.34 million contract with the Commanders in March 2024 after a successful seven-season stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, is poised to take on a larger role. “Ekeler wanted his next destination to have an established young running back already in place,” noted Riggo’s Rag’s Dean Jones on October 12, just before the announcement regarding Robinson. “This has come with diminished and slightly altered responsibilities, which center more on impacting the passing game rather than carving up yards on the ground. However, the Commanders might need him to step up and be the featured back this week.”
A Dynamic Rushing Duo
The Robinson-Daniels combination has emerged as one of the NFL’s most effective rushing duos, second only to heavyweights like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Robinson has amassed 300 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and eclipsing the 100-yard mark in two games. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels mirrors his production with 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns, boasting an impressive 5.3 yards per carry.
In 2023, Robinson showcased his potential as an elite running back, totaling 1,101 yards of offense and nine touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury. With his explosive style and dual-threat capability, he has quickly become a cornerstone of the Commanders’ offense.
Ekeler’s Proven Ability
If any backup running back is equipped to step in as the featured option, it’s Ekeler. An undrafted free agent from Western Colorado, he has proven his ability to shoulder a heavy workload throughout his career. In his first seven seasons, he averaged 141.4 carries per year, culminating in a remarkable 2022 campaign where he touched the ball over 300 times—204 carries and 107 receptions—for a total of 1,637 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Through four games in 2024, Ekeler has shown his versatility with 301 total yards—150 rushing and 151 receiving—along with one touchdown. His familiarity with high-pressure situations makes him a prime candidate to step up in Robinson’s absence.
“I think you can kind of see how they’ve been building the team so far this offseason,” Ekeler said on the Up & Adams podcast in June. “They want a guy they can hand the ball off to 300 times a year, and, look, I haven’t had that capacity to do that. That’s not my game.”
As the Commanders prepare for this pivotal matchup, they remain confident that Ekeler can rise to the occasion and help maintain the momentum of their explosive offense, ensuring that their playoff aspirations remain intact.
