The hits - and good news - just keep coming for the Washington Commanders. Even as the calendar turns to 2025.
In a surprising season in which they have produced several last-second wins and already clinched a playoff berth, coach Dan Quinn's team may be getting reinforcements just in time for their postseason run. The Commanders started the new year off with a bang, announcing a key roster move for their surprising playoff appearance with versatile running back Austin Ekeler being close to returning to the field.
He was placed on injured reserve after suffering a second concussion in a Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the team has opened his 21-day practice window. That means he could be activated as soon as this week to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Cowboys in Arlington, and likely to be available for Washington's Wild Card playoff game the weekend of Jan. 11-13.
Ekeler participated in the team’s walk-through on Wednesday morning.
“To have back on the field today was really cool," Quinn said.
In 11 games this season, Ekeler has rushed for 355 yards with four touchdowns and caught 33 passes for 346 yards. He’s also averaged 31.3 yards on 19 kick returns. During his absence the Commanders have relied heavily on Brian Robinson and Jeremy McNichols, and also of course the legs of sensational rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The 11-5 Commanders currently have the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs but could improve that position with a win over 7-9 Dallas and some help.
