Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler detailed the symptoms he has experienced following his second concussion of the season in his first interview since the injury occurred in Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys.
During his weekly appearance on D.C.-area radio station 106.7 The Fan, Ekeler said he is “definitely getting through it” and “trending in the right direction.” He noted that he is still dealing with concussion symptoms, namely “fogginess” and continued neck pain. He did not remember walking off the field and could not recall anything that happened until he got into the ambulance to head to the hospital.
“I didn’t even remember how I got off the field,” Ekeler said. “I just remember coming to — as far as remembering stuff — I had short-term memory loss. I remember my wife was sitting in the room, and I’m getting evaluated by our medical staff in the back room. That’s when I started to remember things, and then all of a sudden, okay, we’re getting in the back of the ambulance to go get a CT scan. I was definitely concussed and seeing some major symptoms there.”
Ekeler added that he had similar memory loss following his Week 3 concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Commanders running back missed one game following that diagnosis. Throughout his professional career, the veteran running back does have a history of concussions. He was diagnosed with a concussion and a neck stinger in late 2018, then received a second official concussion diagnosis in January 2021.
Ekeler said he has yet to pass concussion protocol but is “getting there” and doesn’t think he is very far off. He was placed on injured reserve last week following the concussion diagnosis, which requires him to miss at least four games. With the Commanders on a bye in Week 14, this keeps Ekeler out through at least Week 17.
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Commanders coach Dan Quinn spoke last week on how Ekeler — or any player, for that matter — should approach returning to the field after sustaining two concussions in the same season. He emphasized players should “really follow what the medical advice is and how that goes.”
“The protocols are there and they’re rigorous for a reason to protect the players and keep them safe,” Quinn said. “And so, just on a case-by-case basis, and we’ll follow that all the way through. It’s awesome to see him doing obviously much better from Sunday because it’s a scary thing for him, teammates and everybody going through it. So, it’s excellent to see him doing better.”
Ekeler, who is in his eighth year in the league and first with Washington, has been a key piece for the Commanders. He has averaged 4.8 yards per carry in the 11 games he played — his best mark since 2018 — and added an additional 346 receiving yards on 33 receptions.
When asked directly about whether he would consider returning this season, Ekeler refused to answer directly, instead expressing a desire to learn more about his concussion diagnoses and thanking his coach and the front office for their support.
“It’s week to week,” Ekeler said. “I want to continue to learn more. It’s my second concussion (this season). Am I more susceptible to a third now that I’ve had two and the severity of mine? It’s a learning process for me because I’ve never had anything this bad and twice in the same season.
“The best thing about is the team has my back, pretty much on any decision that I make. I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and (general manager) Adam Peters for being there and being open to helping me out.”
Ekeler will be missed amid Commanders’ playoff push
Concussions are scary business and therefore Ekeler, 29, should absolutely take his time to determine his best path forward with the help of medical personnel. The contract he signed with the Commanders is only partially guaranteed for 2025. Away from the field, the Colorado native has become an entrepreneur and got married in May.
The Commanders’ season is poised to extend beyond Week 18. They hold a 1.5-game lead over the Buccaneers, Cardinals and Rams for the NFC’s third and final wild card spot.
Washington’s offense rushed for 267 yards in Sunday’s 42-19 romp over the Titans — the first game without Ekeler following the latest concussion. Lead back Brian Robinson finished with 103 yards and a 40-yard touchdown run. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels (590 yards and 6 rushing touchdowns this season) also provides explosiveness in the run game.
None of this is to say the Commanders won’t miss one of their top playmakers. Ekeler’s pass catching prowess and shifty run style provided a nice counter to Robinson’s power. Backup Chris Rodriguez is more in the Robinson style and Jeremy McNichols has two receptions on the season. Replacing Ekeler is the least important aspect of his recovery. — Ben Standig, Washington Commanders senior staff writer
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(Photo: Michael Owens / Getty Images)
