Former Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is expected to make his return to the NFL with the Washington Commanders, bringing an experienced and versatile player back to a team he already knows well.
The expected move comes after a difficult stretch for Ekeler, who suffered a torn Achilles during Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season while playing for Washington. After spending time working his way back from the serious injury, the veteran running back is now reportedly close to another opportunity in the league.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Ekeler is expected to sign with the Commanders, pending a physical. If everything goes as expected, it will mark another chapter in a career that began in 2017 when Ekeler entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent.
For a player who spent seven seasons establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most productive all-purpose backs, the possible return is a meaningful moment. Ekeler has already shown that he can contribute in more ways than simply running the football.
Austin Ekeler’s Expected Return to Washington
Ekeler is expected to return to the Commanders after previously spending the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the organization.
His first season in Washington gave the veteran running back another opportunity outside of Los Angeles, where he had spent the first seven seasons of his professional career. But his second season with the Commanders ended almost immediately after he suffered the Achilles injury in Week 2.
An Achilles tear is one of the more serious injuries an NFL player can face, particularly for a running back whose game relies heavily on acceleration, quick cuts and explosiveness.
Ekeler’s road back has therefore been an important part of this story.
Last week, he worked out for the Carolina Panthers, showing that teams around the league were still interested in seeing what he could offer after the injury. Now, Washington appears ready to give him another chance.
The expected agreement is still pending a physical, but a return to the Commanders would give Ekeler a familiar environment as he continues the next stage of his career.
A Standout Career With the Chargers
Before joining Washington, Ekeler became one of the most recognizable running backs of the Chargers era.
He spent seven seasons with the team after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Coming into the league without being selected in the NFL Draft, Ekeler had to earn his opportunities.
That journey eventually turned into a very productive career.
During his time with the Chargers, Ekeler became known as an all-purpose running back who could hurt defenses both on the ground and through the passing game. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield made him particularly valuable in an NFL offense increasingly built around versatility.
Over his seven seasons in Los Angeles, Ekeler rushed for 4,355 yards on 990 attempts. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry during that span.
Those numbers tell only part of the story.
Ekeler also became a major receiving threat. He caught 440 passes for 3,884 yards, averaging 8.8 yards per reception.
That combination made him more than a traditional running back. He could line up in the backfield, contribute on passing downs and become a reliable option when quarterbacks needed an outlet.
Ekeler’s Best Years Came in 2021 and 2022
Ekeler reached another level during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
He led the NFL in scrimmage touchdowns in both seasons, recording 20 in 2021 and 18 in 2022.
That production helped establish him as one of the league’s most dangerous scoring threats at the position.
In today’s NFL, running backs are often judged by much more than rushing totals. A player who can consistently contribute as a runner and receiver gives an offense additional flexibility.
Ekeler was especially effective in that role.
His receiving ability meant defenses could not simply assume he would run the ball when he was on the field. He could take a handoff, catch a short pass or create a big play in space.
That versatility became a major part of his identity during his Chargers career.
From Undrafted Free Agent to NFL Star
Ekeler’s path to becoming a productive NFL running back was not a conventional one.
He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017, meaning no team selected him during the NFL Draft.
The Chargers nevertheless signed him and gave him a chance to compete.
Over time, he turned that opportunity into a long-term NFL career.
The rise from undrafted player to one of the league’s leading scrimmage touchdown producers is one of the more interesting parts of Ekeler’s story. It also reflects the importance of making the most of limited early opportunities.
He was not handed a major role when he arrived in the league. Instead, his production helped create that role.
As the years went on, he became an important piece of the Chargers offense and eventually one of the team’s most recognizable offensive players.
The Achilles Injury Changed His Recent Path
Ekeler’s expected return to Washington is particularly notable because of the injury that ended his 2025 season.
He tore his Achilles in Week 2 while playing for the Commanders.
For a veteran running back, an Achilles injury can create significant uncertainty. Even after rehabilitation, returning to the same level of speed and explosiveness can take time.
The injury also came at a stage of Ekeler’s career when every opportunity matters.
He was already 31 years old, and running backs generally face difficult questions about longevity as they get deeper into their careers. That made his recovery and efforts to find another NFL opportunity even more significant.
Still, Ekeler continued working toward a return.
His workout with the Panthers last week was one sign that he was looking for another chance. The expected Commanders deal now appears to give him that opportunity.
Why the Commanders Make Sense for Ekeler
A return to Washington makes sense for several reasons.
First, Ekeler already knows the organization. He spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Commanders, so he does not have to start completely from scratch.
He knows the environment, the expectations and many of the people around the team.
That familiarity can be valuable for a player returning from a major injury.
There is also the simple fact that Ekeler has already demonstrated that he can be productive in different offensive situations. Even if he is no longer the same player who produced 20 scrimmage touchdowns in a season, his experience can still provide value.
His receiving ability could also remain useful.
A veteran running back who can contribute in the passing game gives an offense another option on third downs and in situations where a defense is expecting a conventional rushing play.
Ekeler’s Numbers Show His All-Around Value
Looking at Ekeler’s Chargers statistics helps explain why he remained valuable for so long.
His 4,355 rushing yards show that he was a productive runner. But his 440 receptions and 3,884 receiving yards are just as important when understanding his impact.
A total of 440 receptions is a significant number for a running back.
His 8.8 yards per catch average also reflects how often he was used as a short-area receiving weapon who could create extra yardage after the catch.
That dual-threat ability was one of the biggest reasons he became such a productive player.
For Washington, having that type of veteran experience available could be useful as the team manages its backfield and evaluates how much Ekeler can contribute following his injury.
A Different Chapter of His NFL Career
Ekeler’s possible return will not necessarily be about recreating the player he was at his peak.
Football careers change quickly, particularly at running back.
The Ekeler who returns to Washington will be coming off an Achilles injury and entering his 30s. That means expectations will naturally be different from the ones surrounding him during his best Chargers seasons.
But that does not mean he cannot still help.
His knowledge of the NFL, experience in multiple offensive roles and history as a productive receiver give him a foundation that younger players may not have.
The biggest question will likely be how his body responds after the injury.
A successful physical would be the first step. From there, his workload and role could depend on how comfortable he looks during practices and football activities.
Austin Ekeler’s Legacy With the Chargers
Even with his career continuing elsewhere, Ekeler’s time with the Chargers remains a major part of his NFL legacy.
He spent seven seasons with the organization and developed from an undrafted free agent into one of the league’s most productive offensive weapons.
His ability to score touchdowns was especially impressive.
Leading the NFL in scrimmage touchdowns in consecutive seasons is something that stands out, particularly for a player who was not drafted.
His 20 scrimmage touchdowns in 2021 and 18 in 2022 showed just how important he had become to the Chargers offense.
His receiving numbers also helped separate him from many traditional running backs.
Ekeler was never simply a player who took handoffs. He was part of the passing attack too, and that versatility became one of the trademarks of his career.
What Comes Next for Austin Ekeler
The next step is the physical.
Assuming Ekeler passes it and the expected signing becomes official, he will have another opportunity to continue his NFL career with a familiar organization.
There will understandably be questions about his workload, his explosiveness and how quickly he can return to football shape after the Achilles injury.
Those questions cannot really be answered until he gets back on the field.
What is clear is that Ekeler is not ready to simply walk away from football.
At 31, he is attempting to add another chapter to a career that has already exceeded the expectations that came with being an undrafted player in 2017.
His journey from an overlooked prospect to an NFL touchdown leader was impressive. Now, his comeback from a serious injury presents another challenge.
For the Commanders, bringing Ekeler back could offer veteran depth and another experienced weapon for the offense.
For Ekeler, it represents something even bigger.
It is another chance.
After seven productive seasons with the Chargers, two seasons in Washington and a painful Achilles injury, the veteran running back appears to be getting an opportunity to return to the place he already knows.
Whether he can return to his previous level remains to be seen. But the fact that he is once again close to an NFL roster is a notable development in a career that has already taken several unexpected turns.