Tag: Austin Ekeler

Who will handle return duties for Commanders vs. Cardinals?

Who will handle return duties in Week 4 with Ekeler and Crowder out?

The Commanders are in a possibly tough spot Sunday against the Cardinals.

Austin Ekeler and Jamison Crowder were both ruled out this week by Commanders’ Head Coach Dan Quinn. Crowder was the primary punt returner for the 2023 team, while Ekeler has been the leading kickoff returner in 2024.

Even more, Ekeler returned the opening kickoff against the Giants in Week 2 for a touchdown; however, it was called back due to a penalty. Proving it wasn’t luck, in Week 3, Ekeler took the second-half opening kickoff 62 yards.

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With Ekeler and Crowder unavailable for Sunday, who will return the punts and kicks? Friday, when Quinn was asked about this by the press, here is how the head coach responded.

“Yes, (WR) Olamide (Zacchaeus) will be one. (WR) Luke’s (McCaffrey) been getting back there. On the kick return side, we’ve certainly worked with J-Mic (Jeremy McNichols), Noah’s (Igbinoghene) done that. So in that way, we are not going to replace Austin (Ekeler).”

Quinn then summed up this issue with his philosophy during the long, hot days of training camp and preseason.

“However, when you do have a big, deep crew, you do work a lot of guys. When these situations come up, you need to be ready for it. So through practices and preseason games, gaining that experience is really important.”

Commanders vs. Cardinals: 3 causes for concern in Week 4

We preview three causes for concern for the Commanders in Week 4.

What must the Washington Commanders (2-1) do to beat the Arizona Cardinals (1-2) in Week 4?

The Commanders are on the road for the third time in four weeks Sunday, facing an Arizona team that lost close games to Super Bowl contenders Buffalo and Detroit and scored 41 points in a blowout win over the Rams.

These teams met in Week 1 last season, but both look drastically different now. That was the first game for Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon while Ron Rivera roamed Washington’s sidelines in a lost season. The quarterbacks that day were Joshua Dobbs (Cardinals) and Sam Howell (Commanders).

Sunday’s game will feature a battle of former Heisman Trophy winners. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will face off against Kyler Murray. Both quarterbacks are off to fantastic starts in 2024.

We gave you three reasons why the Commanders should be optimistic about Week 4. Now, we give you three causes for concern:

Kyler Murray

Washington’s defense can’t stop anyone. The Commanders aren’t particularly good at any one thing. They can’t stop the run, pass, force turnovers, or sack opposing quarterbacks. Now, Washington faces one of the NFL’s best dual-threat quarterbacks.

Murray is off to arguably the best start of his six-year NFL career. The Commanders should be extremely concerned because Arizona has proven it can run the ball or beat you in the passing game with rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. If Washington can’t stop the run or the pass, how would you expect them to defend Murray?

The Commanders defense may gain some insight from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who was Murray’s coach for four seasons. But that knowledge means nothing if you can’t finish plays.

No Austin Ekeler

If you could name a Washington MVP through three weeks, it would be Daniels, and it’s not particularly close.  But if there is a runner-up, it would be Ekeler. The veteran running back has been outstanding in his role since coming over. He’s made plays in the running game, passing game, and on special teams in each game. However, due to a concussion, Ekeler will not play on Sunday.

This is a big loss for Washington. No one offers a skillset like Ekeler’s. Fortunately, Brian Robinson Jr. is healthy and is off to a strong start. Robinson is underrated as a receiver and could see more work coming out of the backfield against Arizona.

Monday night hangover

Not only did the Commanders play on Monday night, they are coming off an emotional and thrilling 38-33 upset victory. Then, you add that Washington is coming across the country on a short week; there are reasons to be concerned. The good news is that the Commanders flew to Arizona on Monday night and have resumed their typical work week at Arizona State University.

Head coach Dan Quinn is aware of that hangover and has done his best to ensure his team enjoyed last week’s win, but quickly turned their focus to Arizona.

Commanders injury report: Sam Cosmi back at practice

Three miss Thursday’s practice for the Commanders.

The Washington Commanders completed their second practice of the week on Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Washington flew to Arizona directly after Monday night’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It is practicing at Arizona State University in Tempe, which is less than 30 miles from the Cardinals’ stadium in Glendale.

After four players missed Wednesday’s practice, one returned on Thursday. Right guard Sam Cosmi is dealing with an Achilles injury and practiced on a limited basis. He told reporters he was good to go for Sunday.

The Commanders already ruled out running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee). Neither made the trip to Arizona.

Here is Washington’s full injury report from Thursday:

Did not participate: WR Jamison Crowder (calf), RB Austin Ekeler (concussion/ruled out), DE Clelin Ferrell (knee/ruled out)

Limited participants: G Sam Cosmi (Achilles),  CB Benjamin St-Juste (chest)

Full participant: CB Emmanuel Forbes (thumb), DT Jer’Zhan Newton (foot), S Quan Martin (elbow)

Meanwhile, for the Cardinals, tight end Trey McBridge (concussion) and defensive tackle DT Khyiris Tonga (knee) missed practice again. Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (quadriceps) remained limited, while safety Budda Baker was a full participant.

Commanders injury report: Two already ruled out for Week 4

The first injury report of the week is here and the Commanders already rule out two for Sunday.

It is a unique week for the Washington Commanders. After defeating the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, the Commanders immediately boarded a flight for Arizona, where they’ll spend the week preparing for their Week 4 opponent, the Arizona Cardinals.

Head coach Dan Quinn revealed Tuesday that running back Austin Ekeler didn’t accompany the team on their flight West after suffering a concussion in the third quarter of Monday’s win. When Quinn met with the media on Wednesday, he ruled Ekeler out for Sunday, which was not a surprise.

Ekeler isn’t Washington’s only player out for Sunday. Defensive end Clelin Ferrell, who missed Monday’s game with a knee injury, was also ruled out. Like Ekeler, Ferrell didn’t make the trip to Arizona with the team and will have an extra week to rehabilitate his knee injury.

Here’s the full injury report for Wednesday:

Did not participate: G Sam Cosmi (Achilles), WR Jamison Crowder (NIR/rest), RB Austin Ekeler (concussion/ruled out), TE Zach Ertz (NIR/rest), DE Clelin Ferrell (knee/ruled out)

Limited participants: S Quan Martin (elbow), CB Benjamin St-Juste (chest)

Full participant: CB Emmanuel Forbes (thumb), DT Jer’Zhan Newton (foot)

Two players missed practice for the Cardinals: TE Trey McBride (concussion) and DT Khyiris Tonga (knee). Several players were limited, including star safety Budda Baker (quadriceps) and first-round pick WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (quadriceps).

Commanders Week 4 injury report: RB Austin Ekeler ruled out

The details for the Commanders’ first injury report of the week as they prepare for the Cardinals.

This story was updated to add new information. 

The Washington Commanders’ Wednesday injury report leading to Sunday’s game Week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals was distributed from Arizona where the team is practicing during a short week after Monday night’s game in Cincinnati.

Running back Austin Ekeler, who did not practice after suffering a concussion in the game, has already been declared out by head coach Dan Quinn.

The full details are below.

Washington Commanders Week 4 Wednesday injury report

Did not participate

G Sam Cosmi (Achilles)

WR Jamison Crowder (calf/rest)

RB Austin Ekeler (concussion)

TE Zach Ertz (not injury related/rest)

DE Clelin Ferrell (knee)

Quinn said the short week makes the decision on Ekeler the most prudent one and added, “We’ll have a chance to see what next week looks like then.” In Monday night’s win over the Bengals, Ekeler played only 13 snaps, but rushed three times for 35 yards with a 24-yard touchdown, caught two passes for 22 yards and had a 62-yard kickoff return.

Cosmi played all 59 snaps at right guard against the Bengals, while Ferrell was inactive. Ferrell did not travel with the team and has been ruled out of the game like Ekeler.

Limited participation

S Quan Martin (elbow)

CB Benjamin St-Juste (chest)

St-Juste played all 62 snaps Monday night and had six tackles (four solo), while Martin played 60 snaps and also had six tackles (two solo).

Full participation

CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (thumb)

DT Jer’Zhan Newton (foot)

Newton played 21 snaps (34 percent) Monday night and had four tackles (two solo). Forbes was inactive.

Arizona Cardinals Week 4 Wednesday injury report

Did not participate

  • TE Trey McBride (concussion)
  • DL Khyiris Tonga (knee)

Limited participation

  • S Budda Baker (quadriceps)
  • T Kelvin Beachum (hamstring)
  • LB Dennis Gardeck (finger)
  • WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (quadriceps)
  • DL Dante Stills (shoulder)

The article was updated to add injury information given about Crowder and Ferrell after the injury report came out

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

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Commanders injury news: Austin Ekeler ruled out for Week 4

The Commanders will be without Austin Ekeler in Week 4.

Instead of waiting to see if running back Austin Ekeler clears concussion protocol, the Washington Commanders are playing it safe with the veteran. During his Wednesday press conference, head coach Dan Quinn ruled Ekeler out for the Week 4 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Ekeler was injured in the third quarter of Washington’s Monday night win over Cincinnati. He was checked for a concussion and ruled out. Quinn later revealed that Ekeler was also dealing with an ear laceration.

Immediately after Monday’s game, the team flew to Arizona to begin preparations for the Cardinals on a short week. Instead of flying with the team, Ekeler returned to Virginia to begin concussion protocol.

“Yeah, Austin had a concussion and also a laceration on his ear,” Quinn said Tuesday. “So, he went back to Virginia today to begin the concussion protocol. I’ll have more info as it goes toward the end of the week. Instead of coming out here to Arizona, he went back home to Virginia to begin that process.”

With Ekeler out, the Commanders will turn to veteran Jeremy McNichols behind Brian Robinson Jr. Michael Wiley or Chris Rodriguez Jr. could be elevated from the practice squad to give Washington a third running back.

Ekeler has been a significant part of Washington’s offense through three games. He’s also returned a kickoff for a touchdown, although it was called back, and returned another 62 yards.

Commanders give injury update on RB Austin Ekeler

Ekeler would be a big loss for Washington in Week 4.

The Washington Commanders could be without one of their top players in next week’s game at Arizona. Running back Austin Ekeler left in the third quarter of Monday night’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals and was taken to the locker room.

The team reported that Ekeler was being evaluated for a possible concussion. Ekeler was later ruled out for the remainder of the game, and head coach Dan Quinn offered no details on Ekeler after the game, but he said he would know more when he spoke to the media on Tuesday.

“Yeah, Austin had a concussion and also a laceration on his ear,” Quinn said Tuesday. “So, he went back to Virginia today to begin the concussion protocol. I’ll have more info as it goes toward the end of the week. Instead of coming out here to Arizona, he went back home to Virginia to begin that process.”

The Commanders flew directly to Arizona after Monday’s game in Cincinnati, where they’ll practice at Arizona State, instead of flying back home and then out West later in the week. It’s a practice NFL teams have been doing for a few years now for cross-country road trips.

Before his injury, Ekeler was a big part of Washington’s offensive success in the 38-33 win. Ekeler caught two passes for 22 yards, rushed three times for 35 yards and a touchdown, and returned the second-half kickoff 62 yards to set the Commanders up with excellent field position.

If Ekeler can’t go, veteran Jeremy McNichols will fill his role behind Brian Robinson Jr., and the Commanders will likely elevate Chris Rodriguez Jr. or Michael Wiley from the practice squad.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler being evaluated for concussion

Tough news for the Commanders, as Ekeler was having a phenomenal game.

Remember when the Washington Commanders signed veteran Austin Ekeler in the offseason? Some said he was cooked, even calling it a bad signing, despite it being a modest two-year deal.

Through three weeks, Ekeler has become arguably Washington’s most important offensive player not named Jayden Daniels. Unfortunately, during Washington’s Week 3 game against the Bengals on Monday Night Football, Ekeler departed early in the third quarter with the Commanders about to score. He is being evaluated for a possible concussion.

With the Commanders leading 21-13 on the first possession of the third quarter, Ekeler takes a first down carry three yards inside the 10-yard line. He was slow to get up and helped off the field. The Commanders then reported he was being evaluated for a possible concussion.

Interestingly enough, Ekeler’s 62-yard kick return gave Washington an excellent field position a few plays earlier.

Ekeler had three carries for 35 yards and a touchdown, two receptions for 22 yards, and the 62-yard kick return.

 

Commanders lead Bengals 21-13 at halftime of Monday Night Football

The Commanders lead the Bengals 21-13 at halftime.

The Washington Commanders lead the Cincinnati Bengals 21-13 at halftime of their Week 3 Monday Night Football game.

The Bengals went on offense first, and it didn’t take quarterback Joe Burrow long to find star receiver Ja’Marr Chase on a 41-yard touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.

The Commanders responded as quarterback Jayden Daniels quickly moved Washington into Cincinnati territory but faced a fourth-and-2 at the Bengals’ 32-yard line.

Instead of settling for a field goal, Quinn went for it, and Daniels found rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey for a 30-yard gain to set up the Commanders with a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. punched it in a few plays later to tie the game.

Washington’s defense finally gets a stop, and kicker Evan McPherson misses a field goal. Daniels and the Commanders went back to work, and running back Austin Ekeler scored from 24 yards out to give Washington a 14-7 lead.

Washington’s defense held Cincinnati to another field goal attempt, but this time, McPherson makes it and trims the lead to 14-10.

The Commanders remained aggressive as Daniels found Terry McLaurin on a 55-yard completion to set up another first-and-goal. Daniels took it into the end zone on the next play, and it was 21-10 Washington.

The Bengals kicked another field goal just before halftime to trim the lead to 21-13.

Daniels completed seven of his eight attempts in the first half for 139 yards. Ekeler had two carries for 32 yards and a touchdown and also caught two passes for 22 yards. The Commanders were outgained 236-205 in total yardage, but their defense made critical stops to force field goal attempts.

Washington will begin the second half with the football.

What grade did the Commanders earn from others in Week 2?

We handed out our Week 2 report cards. How did others grade Washington?

We handed out our report cards for the Washington Commanders’ Week 2 win over the New York Giants. It wasn’t the prettiest win, as the Commanders scored 21 points but not one touchdown in defeating the Giants.

However, the most important statistic was the win. The Commanders finished with 425 yards of total offense, rushed for 215 yards and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels continues to show positive progress.

Running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler look like they could be the NFL’s most dangerous backfield.

The lack of scoring and penalties hampered Washington’s overall grades from Sunday’s win. Primarily, everything related to the penalties. Washington lived in the red zone but committed five penalties once arriving there, often ending any chance at a touchdown. Washington also had a kickoff return by Ekeler called back due to holding.

How did others grade the Commanders in Week 2? CBS Sports weighed in, giving a grade to the entire team instead of our unit rankings and gave Washington a B.

Some times all you need to win in the NFL is a strong rushing attack and your kicker, which is exactly what the Commanders used to pull out an impressive win on Sunday. Brian Robinson Jr. went off against the Giants, rushing for 133 yards on 17 carries. The Commanders’ ability to run the ball was a big reason why they were able to score on every possession they had in the game with the exception of a kneel down before halftime. All of Washington’s points came from Austin Seibert, who set the franchise record with seven field goals. The Commanders are now 8-0 over the past 10 years when they rush for at least 200 yards.

The grade is fair. We were a bit harsher due to the penalties. It is early in the season under a new coaching staff, so the hope is that the Commanders will fix the penalty issue in the coming weeks.