Commanders expected to bring Austin Ekeler back as running back depth thins

Washington is expected to bring Austin Ekeler back to its 53-man roster, pending a physical, according to NFL Network's Monday report. That is an expected signing rather than a completed transaction. The Commanders have a specific depth problem after Rachaad White suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday's win over Seattle, and Jeremy McNichols is already on injured reserve, NBC Sports reported.

Ekeler is familiar to the club. He played the past two seasons in Washington, but a torn Achilles ended his 2025 season after two games. NFL Network reported that he has healed and recently worked out for Carolina. Passing Washington's physical is the next step before the reported reunion becomes a filed roster addition.

The healthy running back group is narrow. NBC Sports identified Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kaytron Allen as the other healthy backs on the 53-man roster after White's injury. NFL.com lists Croskey-Merritt with 142 yards on 47 carries through three weeks and White with 100 yards on 22 carries plus nine receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. Those figures explain why the Commanders are looking for another option, but they do not tell us which player would lose a roster spot or how many touches Ekeler would receive.

Ekeler previously gave Washington a receiving element from the backfield. In 2024, the NFL credits him with 404 receiving yards on 40 catches alongside 410 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. His 2025 workload was cut short before it could show whether that role would persist. He is now 31 and returning from an Achilles injury, so his prior production is useful context rather than a projection for Week 4.

For fantasy managers, this is a watchlist move with two unresolved conditions: the physical and White's shoulder status. Croskey-Merritt's recent carry lead remains an observed fact; Ekeler's future usage is not yet one. Washington's official transaction report and next practice update will establish the roster and health picture. Until then, treating the expected signing as a confirmed active player would get ahead of the evidence.