The Commanders’ 27–18 loss to the Packers was compounded by injuries, with RB Austin Ekeler exiting in the fourth quarter after a non-contact issue with his right leg. He was unable to put weight on his right foot and was carted off, joining defensive end Deatrich Wise and wide receiver Noah Brown on the growing injury list, deepening concerns ahead of Week 3.

The veteran running back has officially been diagnosed with a torn Achilles, confirming the worst fears from Thursday night’s game. With recovery from an Achilles tear typically taking 9 to 12 months, Ekeler is expected to miss the remainder of the season, delivering a major blow to the Commanders’ offense.

This is the second year of Ekeler’s two-year deal with the Commanders, after his 12-game stint in 2024, when he recorded 367 yards and four touchdowns.

A season-ending injury could be a problem for the running back, who has consistently been explosive when healthy. Ekeler’s best years came with the Chargers, where he spent more than five seasons. During that time, he climbed to third place on the franchise’s all-time rushing leaderboard, trailing only LaDainian Tomlinson and Paul Lowe.

So, the Commanders will be hoping to have him back healthy as soon as possible. On the Packers’ side, receiver Jayden Reed broke his collarbone. Although the coaching staff admitted he will miss a good portion of the season, Reed is still expected to return before the year ends.

With Ekeler out, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is expected to step in and see more action. Before getting injured, Ekeler had 17 rushing yards on eight carries and caught two passes for seven yards. He was also a key veteran leader in the locker room.

Injuries pile up for Washington as Austin Ekeler joins the sidelines

Before Ekeler’s exit, the Commanders were already struggling to keep pace as the Packers dominated from the start. The first major setback came in the second quarter when defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. went down during an extra point attempt. As he pushed through the line, Packers tackle Anthony Belton accidentally fell backward onto Wise’s right leg, forcing him out of the game and leaving a noticeable gap in Washington’s defense.

In the third quarter, things got worse. Wide receiver Noah Brown was ruled out with a groin issue, though no clear play seemed to cause it. The sudden announcement surprised many, especially since Brown had only one catch for nine yards before leaving the field.

With Ekeler’s fourth-quarter Achilles injury added to the list, the Commanders ended the night with three key players sidelined, marking a troubling trend early in the season.