Austin Ekeler knows he’s not the young buck anymore. At 31 and fresh off an Achilles injury, he’s the ‘grandpa’ in the Commanders’ running back room, joking about it with the younger players. But he still believes he has something left to offer. ‘The chance to make the 53-man roster was too good to pass up,’ Ekeler said after practice in London. ‘I was looking to get back in the game.’ Ekeler was a key part of the Commanders’ success in 2024, racking up 733 total yards and four touchdowns. His veteran leadership was valued just as highly, which is why Washington re-signed him. But an Achilles injury in Week 2 last season sidelined him for the year. Recovery took about a year, and there were moments he wondered if it was all worth it. Even four months ago, he wasn’t satisfied with his progress. It wasn’t until two months ago that he felt his ‘pop’ return, leading him to reach out for a workout. The Commanders were quick to bring him back. ‘Being back in the brotherhood with familiar coaches was a seamless opportunity to start playing sooner,’ Ekeler explained.
