What happens behind the helmet when the lights dim, the adrenaline fades, and the hits linger? We all know the highlight plays: Austin Ekeler darting toward daylight, strumming his signature air guitar after a touchdown. But what does it really feel like to face the fear of losing the game you love, in the most literal sense? That’s the honest, unvarnished story we set out to capture, sitting down with Ekeler for an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports.

It was an immersive experience that helps you, the fan, see the NFL through Ekeler’s unguarded eyes. In conversation with Andrew Whitelaw, Ekeler gave voice to what few players share: the raw truth about concussions and the repercussions that come with them.

People love the rush; the sprint, the celebrations, but there’s no playbook for getting leveled by fear. And that’s what Ekeler shared with us. Andrew Whitelaw asks, “You’ve been through ups and downs, man. I mean, two concussions in 2024. What was that like? How scary was that?” There’s a pause. Ekeler doesn’t reach for cliché or bravado. Instead, he lets the truth settle in the air. “Yeah. One of the unfortunate parts of sports is the injuries, and especially when it’s to your head, not very fun. Actually, really scary because if I break my arm, 6 weeks. Sure, I have a scar on my arm, but it’s my arm. But my brain is a little bit different because it’s got to run this body for the next, hopefully, a long time.”

Austin Ekeler’s first concussion came last season in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He missed the ensuing week. But the second hit was even harder. His second concussion game in Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys landed him on IR. He missed the next four weeks. But Ekeler’s concussion story isn’t just about missing time on the field; it’s about facing down the unknown.

On our EssentiallySports exclusive, he further explains: “It’s definitely something that when that injury happens, you got to make sure that you get as much information as you possibly can to make the most educated decision that you can possibly make. And all circumstances are different. Mine didn’t happen to be as severe, even though I did have two. So, I was fortunate enough to make a full recovery and feel really confident about coming back and participating in the end of the season in the playoffs.”

The NFL’s evolving concussion protocol, stricter medical oversight, and greater player advocacy all form part of the backdrop. But for Ekeler, it remains intensely personal: a game of risk and resilience played out one snap at a time. Ekeler’s words land hardest when he discusses trust. “If it happens again, it’ll be the same process. Get as much information as I can, diagnose the kind of the situation, and then make a decision based off of that.”

The 2024 season had also put his short-term memory to the test. After that second concussion, Ekeler couldn’t remember anything from the time of injury to when he woke up in the ambulance en-route to the hospital. The memory gaps and neck pain were all too real; and the Washington Commanders kept him out until he cleared protocol.

Currently, Austin Ekeler is recuperating from another serious injury. The Commanders RB tore his Achilles in their Week 2 clash against the Green Bay Packers. After that non-contact injury in the fourth quarter, he had to be helped off the field and was later carted off to the locker room. His 2025 campaign ran very short as he is now ruled out for the remainder of the season.

But for all the heaviness, our EssentiallySports exclusive also peeled back the curtain on the league’s personalities. We hit rapid fire, and Ekeler brought the same honestly to every answer.

Austin Ekeler’s “Welcome to the NFL” moment and more…

As the interview drew to a close, Andrew Whitelaw drew out some rapid-fire questions. Who’s the toughest defender Ekeler’s ever faced? “Toughest defender that I’ve ever faced, probably TJ Watt.” Ekeler was as quick with his wit as his cutback. The best running back in the league? “Ah, Saquon [Barkley]. It’s not even close, in my opinion.” 

Whitelaw then asked him about his “Welcome to the NFL” moment. For Ekeler, that wasn’t a headline, but a lesson instead. With a throwback to his Chargers days, he noted, “probably in practice, actually. I was on scout team and in college I was fast enough to get around the edge. And in practice I learned that everyone’s pretty fast in the NFL. Because I was trying to go horizontal to get around the edge and a defensive lineman was able to run me down and then I learned really quickly… you don’t try to go sideways. You got to go vertical, north – south, get as much as you can and get down or protect yourself.”

Ekeler’s favourite touchdown celebration moment? “Probably my second touchdown ever scored. Because that’s when the guitar celebration actually came out. My first one I ever scored, I didn’t even know I was going to get on offense, and I got in. First time they handed me the ball, I scored a touchdown and so I was just screaming and flexing. But next time I was like, ‘I’m prepared now.’ And hit the celebration the second time.” 

Whitelaw also asked who’s the most exciting talent on the Commanders. Ekeler’s answer was straight: “Jayden Daniels. Dude is becoming one of the new star quarterbacks of the league and it’s really cool to be a part of that energy.” And if he had to pick another position to play instead of an RB? “I think quarterback. I think at this point in year nine, understanding the game so much and kind of how the offense works and defense works that I feel like I love that challenge of the mental capacity … being a challenge while you’re at the quarterback position.” 

This EssentiallySports exclusive interview wasn’t just about setbacks or stats. For Austin Ekeler, the game is about recovery, resilience, and the next play. That’s football. Unfiltered, unforgiving, and worth every second. Now, we wish him a speedy recovery from his torn Achilles and wait for the next time he explodes on the field.

In the meantime, you don’t need to keep a weather eye on the horizon for more exclusive interviews like this one. Just subscribe and drop in on our ES Exclusives YouTube channel.