Austin Ekeler lands with NFC East team

Austin Ekeler is running it back with one of his former teams.

On Monday, insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said the veteran running back is signing with the Washington Commanders.

“Reunion: The #Commanders are expected to sign FA RB Austin Ekeler to their 53-man roster pending physical, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo,” Rapoport shared via a post on X.

Ekeler spent the previous two seasons with the Commanders, who signed him to a 2-year, $8.34 million contract in 2024. He recorded 367 rushing yards and four touchdowns to go with 366 receiving yards on 35 catches and 41 targets in 12 games with Washington in his first year with the team.

He could have done more, but a concussion forced him to miss five games. The following season, he suffered an Achilles tear, leaving him with only two games played in the entire 2025 campaign.

Ekeler tried out for the Carolina Panthers last week, but he ultimately ended up again with Washington, which is coming off its first win of the season. The Commanders defeated the reigning Super Bowl champions Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, 33-31, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md.

The 31-year-old Ekeler can be expected to serve a depth role for Washington, behind the likes of Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White. He could compete with rookie Kaytron Allen for the RB3 role.

Ekeler didn’t hear his name called during the 2017 NFL Draft, but he later signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, with whom he blossomed into a reliable and dangerous threat on the ground and through the air.

In 103 games with the Chargers, he amassed 4,355 rushing yards with 39 touchdowns on 990 carries, while adding 3,884 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns on 440 receptions.