Commanders To Re-Sign Austin Ekeler To 53-Man Roster Pending Physical The Washington Commanders are expected to re-sign veteran running back Austin Ekeler to their 53-man roster pending a physical, adding trusted experience and pass-catching ability to a young backfield. The Washington Commanders are expected to re-sign veteran running back Austin Ekeler to their 53-man roster pending a physical, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Austin Ekeler Returns To WashingtonThe move brings back a familiar face to Washington midseason. Ekeler, now 31, spent the last two seasons with the Commanders after joining the franchise in 2024. Injuries restricted him to only eight starts in 14 games through his first two seasons in Washington, when he put up 410 rushing yards on 91 carries with four touchdowns and 404 receiving yards on 40 catches. His 2025 season ended after an Achilles injury, which he has since recovered from.He worked out for the Carolina Panthers last week after Jonathon Brooks suffered an injury, and now returns to the team he spent the last two seasons with. Ekeler is no stranger to Washington and, if healthy, the Commanders can plug and play him right into their offense.The team already has a stable full of younger backs who can carry the ball, including leading rusher Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who has recorded 142 rushing yards this season, along with rookie Kaytron Allen. White, who leads the team with 151 yards from scrimmage this year, returned to Washington's win over the Seahawks. Ekeler brings familiarity and trusted experience in a developing backfield for Washington, though he will likely be in a depth role.Ekeler spent the first seven years of his career with the Chargers after going undrafted in 2017, becoming a reliable all-purpose back in Los Angeles. He topped 1,000 yards from scrimmage in four seasons there, passing 1,500 yards three times. Over his first nine seasons in the NFL, Ekeler has 480 career receptions, 4,288 yards, and 30 touchdowns. He gives Washington something beyond simply carrying the ball, providing a dependable option coming out of the backfield on any down.Passing Experience And Backfield VersatilityThe biggest reason he is being brought in is likely his game-time experience operating in passing situations. He also eases the need to push Bill or Allen into catching the ball out of the backfield right away, letting them develop. Call it the Darren Sproles theory, if you will, but Ekeler gives the offense a familiar extra target. Washington does not need Ekeler to take over the backfield.It needs a reliable piece who can protect, get open, and provide a dependable option out of the backfield. There is still an obvious question attached to the move. Ekeler is 31 and coming off a significant Achilles injury, so expecting the version of him who once caught 107 passes in a season would be too much to ask. Washington does not need that version.If Ekeler passes his physical and can still protect, get open, and provide a reliable option out of the backfield, the Commanders just added another useful piece to an offense that can use one.