Commanders’ Austin Ekeler is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, AP source says

By HOWARD FENDRICH WASHINGTON Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right Achilles tendon a person with knowledge of the sportsman s status explained The Associated Press on Saturday The person spoke on condition of anonymity because nothing had been stated by the club about the extent of Ekeler s injury The Commanders had deduced Ekeler could be out for the season and an MRI exam validated it The -year-old Ekeler who was in his ninth season in the NFL and second with the Commanders is the second member on the band known to have picked up a season-ending injury in Washington s - loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night Defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr is done for the year because he hurt his quadriceps during a kick attempt by the Packers in the first half Wise was in his first season with Washington after playing for eight with the New England Patriots Ekeler fell to the ground on a play in the fourth quarter of the loss which dropped Washington s record to - It was a noncontact injury and Ekeler kept his weight off his right leg as he was helped off the field After staying on the bench on Washington s sideline for a meager minutes Ekeler was driven toward the locker room He started both games this season for the Commanders gaining yards on carries and catching five passes for yards Ekeler has been a valuable pass-catcher out of the backfield for quarterback Jayden Daniels last season s AP NFL Rookie of the Year as Washington went - in the regular season and reached the NFC title event Related Articles Keeler CU Buffs QB Julian Lewis might salvage But Ju Ju and Pat Shurmur would be catastrophe Grading The Week Broncos Burnham Yard plan Gorgeous PSL costs around NFL Ugly Broncos scouting assessment Predictions for Denver s matchup with Colts Daniel Jones Renck Time to worry about Broncos Bo Nix Check back after this week vs Colts La Alma Lincoln Park residents weigh new Broncos stadium at Burnham Yard It s going to change everything Last season Ekeler ran for yards and gained another yards on catches He entered this season with more than receiving yards and more than rushing yards over his NFL career Washington traded Brian Robinson Jr to the San Francisco ers shortly before the season began putting Ekeler in a starting role and leaving rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the No role Now it seems likely that Croskey-Merritt will move into a more major role He was a seventh-round draft pick and ran for yards and a touchdown in Washington s - domination over the New York Giants in Week Against Green Bay he had four carries for yards Other Commanders players who were injured Thursday include wide receiver Noah Brown and tight end John Bates Washington s next battle is Sept against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders AP NFL https apnews com hub nfl Want more NFL news Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis