FRISCO - While the Dallas Cowboys plot ways to play out the string, the Washington Commanders may be getting healthier for a surprising playoff run. And while the Cowboys cut ties with a veteran running back, the Commanders are set to welcome one back.
It's quite the role reversal, punctuated with Sunday's regular-season finale Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. A year ago in Week 18 it was the Cowboys who polished off a 12-5 season with a 38-10 victory in Washington that sent the reeling Commanders to a 4-13 record and offseason extreme makeover.
This time it's the Cowboys who lug a 7-9 record and uncertainty about head coach Mike McCarthy's future into the final game. The Commanders, meanwhile, have been the surprise story of the NFL season. Led by head coach (and former Cowboys' assistant) Dan Quinn and MVP candidate quarterback Jayden Daniels, they are 11-5 and looking to improve on their No. 6 seed in the upcoming NFC playoffs.
This week the Cowboys cut Ezekiel Elliott. In a surprising season in which they have produced several last-second wins and already clinched a playoff berth, the Commanders 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 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 Cowboys, but the team has opened his 21-day practice window. That means he could be activated as soon as Sunday's, and is 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 Daniels.
