The Washington Commanders may have lost more than the game in Sunday’s 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Not only did right tackle Andrew Wylie (concussion) and running back Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) leave the game due to injuries, Washington lost its other top running back, Austin Ekeler, at the end of the game.
Ekeler suffered a brutal hit on the game’s final kickoff with nine seconds remaining. Ekeler lay motionless for a few minutes before getting up and walking off the field under his own power. Both Washington and Dallas players surrounded Ekeler, concerned for his well-being.
After the game, head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Ekeler suffered a concussion.
“[GM Adam [Peters] and I just had a chance to visit with him now, so he’ll do more tests tonight, but it was a concussion,” Quinn said.
This would be Ekeler’s second concussion of the season. He suffered the first one in Washington’s Week 3 win at Cincinnati and missed the following week’s win at Arizona.
The Commanders released running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. after activating rookie defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste from IT. Washington hopes to get Rodriguez back, but another team could claim the talented second-year back.
Washington could be without Robinson and Ekeler next week against Tennessee, so there will be another move at running back. Jeremy McNichols would step back into the starting role. McNichols has thrived when given opportunities this season.