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Commanders RB Austin Ekeler turns devistating injury into one unique opportunity for life after football
© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler turns devistating injury into one unique opportunity for life after football

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Josh Taylor  |  Last updated Nov 19, 2025 12:01 AM ET

The Washington Commanders have been riddled with injuries this season, including season-ending ones to multiple starters.

Veteran running back Austin Ekeler was poised to have a massive season with a critical role on offense, but all of that was cut way too short. Ekeler went down in the second game of the season with a long road to recovery.

Instead of sitting back and just giving up, Ekeler does what he always does: keeps his head up and makes the most of it. While he's recovering, Ekeler has a very unique opportunity that not many players get.

Austin Ekeler to be a guest on Netflix during the Commanders' Christmas Day game

Just because Ekeler's season is over, that doesn't mean he can't take part in the team, just in a much different way. The Commanders are hosting the Dallas Cowboys at home for a rivalry game on Christmas Day, and Ekeler will be there. He won't be on the field, but instead he'll be working on his life after football skills as a desk analyst for the game on Netflix.

Ekeler will join Kay Adams, Devin McCourty, and Michael Irvin to discuss the Commanders vs. Cowboys game, which promises to be very entertaining. We all know Ekeler has a strong screen presence, and he's known for his activity in the fantasy football community, as well as podcasts and shows when he's not on the field. This gives him a big stage to show what he can do on the media side of football whenever he decides to hang it up. We aren't sure if Ekeler will come back to keep playing after his gruesome injury, and maybe this is it for him.


Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII. © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Austin Ekeler's injury might be the end of a magical run

It's weird to see a player in the media talking about a game involving a team he's still technically part of, even if his season is over. Ekeler tore his Achilles tendon during the Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, and that's a tough injury to come back from. He will also be 31 heading into next season, so maybe this is a preview for what's to come if he decides to call it a career.

Regardless, this is a big opportunity that he's going to crush, and be an enjoyable watch, which is great because we have no idea what to expect from this team anymore with a 3-8 record.

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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