The Commanders believe RB Austin Ekeler tore his right Achilles in Thursday night's loss to the Packers, according to multiple reports. That's what it looked like when he went down late in the fourth quarter of a game that was already decided. Ekeler is undergoing additional testing on Friday to confirm the diagnosis. It'd be a season-ending injury and could threaten Ekeler's career. He's 30 and set to hit free agency this offseason. What's his absence mean for Washington's backfield going forward? Let's dig in.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (ankle) is not listed on the final Week 13 injury report after putting in a full practice on Friday. He'll play vs. the Titans this weekend -- and it looks like he'll be ready for a significant role. RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) has been ruled out. That figures to leave Jeremy McNichols as the No. 2 RB, but he'd be a desperation fantasy start.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler ran 13 times for 44 yards and two TDs. He also caught a pass for seven yards. Ekeler was the lead back with Brian Robinson sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Commanders have ruled RB Brian Robinson Jr. out for Sunday's game against the Steelers with the hamstring injury that also cost him Week 9. Robinson managed limited practices Wednesday and Thursday after putting in limited workouts all last week and carrying a "questionable" tag into the game. But he missed Friday's practice this time around and got ruled out early.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (hamstring) was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Giants. It’s a new injury for Robinson, who battled a knee issue earlier this season. We haven’t heard any concern about his availability for this one, but we’ll keep you updated on the situation and get Washington’s inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday. Robinson’s absence would leave the backfield to Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. rushed 12 times for 71 yards and 1 score in Sunday's blowout win over Carolina. Robinson (knee) entered the weekend as questionable on the injury report; he was a limited practice participant Wednesday-Friday.

With RB Brian Robinson out with his knee injury, Austin Ekeler operated as Washington's lead back in the Week 6 loss to the Ravens. He played 75% of the offensive snaps and ran a route on 63% of pass plays -- well ahead of Jeremy McNichols (37%, 33%). Ekeler finished with nine carries and five targets to McNichols' two carries and zero targets. Ekeler predictably struggled on the ground against a stout Baltimore run defense, mustering just 21 rushing yards. But he caught four of his five targets for 47 yards, highlighted by a 25-yard catch and run on Washington's first possession.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game vs. the Ravens. He seemingly suffered a setback trying to play through this knee injury last weekend and didn't practice at all this week. We'll see if he can make it back for Week 7's meeting with the Panthers.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Browns. He only got in a limited practice on Friday. “He’s trending in the right way, and we’ll take it all the way to game day,” HC Dan Quinn said Friday. “But he’s doing great.” We’re tentatively expecting Robinson to play but will get Washington’s inactives around 11:30 am ET on Sunday. RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) practiced all week and is not listed on the final injury report.

Now is not the time to hit the panic button, but it's fair to be slightly worried about Chargers RB Austin Ekeler. The veteran struggled on Sunday night, logging 64 total yards on 16 touches with a lost fumble in Week 12's loss vs. the Ravens. Ekeler has now failed to reach double-digit PPR points for the second week in a row. But the issues he's experienced lately stem from a downtick in passing game production and a lack of TDs. Ekeler averaged 19 receiving yards per game over the past two weeks; by contrast, he'd averaged 40.2 yards over his prior five games since returning from an ankle injury. Also, 30.6% of Ekeler's 98 PPR points he's scored since Week 6 have come from finding the end zone. However, don't get too caught up in these concerns. Ekeler has the easiest remaining RB schedule against a string of phenomenal matchups per our adjusted fantasy points allowed. Even though he's dangerously close to deserving a "TD-or-bust" label, it's tough to bet against a guy who ranks seventh in RB opportunity share and faces the Broncos (31st in run defense DVOA) twice between now and fantasy championship week. It may be a bumpy ride, but keep holding on.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler tallied 70 total yards on a combined 16 touches in Week 9’s win vs. the Jets. Monday night was not the veteran’s most efficient showing. Going 14-47 on the ground isn't awful, but one 20-yard run from Ekeler accounts for 28.5% of his final count in the contest. But let’s not be too persnickety; he also scored 2 rushing TDs in the game. Ekeler has now recorded back-to-back games of 20+ PPR points and four straight weeks of 16 or more touches since his Week 6 return from an ankle injury. Fantasy managers should expect good production from Ekeler moving forward, as the Chargers’ remaining schedule ranks as the single-easiest for RBs in our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler bounced back in a big way on Sunday night, finishing with 7 catches for a team-leading 94 yards and a TD vs. the Bears. The veteran wasn’t as effective as a runner in the contest (15 carries, 29 rushing yards), though the fantasy points ultimately count all the same. Ekeler’s 23.3 PPR points from Sunday are his highest since Week 1 and out-pace his last two outings combined. Any concerns about his sluggishness returning from the ankle injury that kept him out for a while should be out the window now. Next week, he’ll take on the Jets and should be considered a high-end RB1.

And the crowd goes mild! Chargers RB Austin Ekeler logged 62 total yards in his return from injury in Week 6 vs. the Cowboys. The veteran was fairly effective as a receiver in the contest (4 catches, 35 yards) but was unable to get anything going on the ground. 14 carries for 27 rushing yards isn’t the big return that fantasy managers had hoped for. Ekeler’s 10.1 PPR points rank as 25th-best at the RB position this week. Hopefully, we’ll see a better showing from him in Week 7 vs. the Chiefs.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) put in a full week of practice and isn't listed on the final Week 6 injury report. He'll be back for Monday night's game vs. the Cowboys. Ekeler is five weeks removed from his high-ankle sprain, so he should be relatively close to 100%.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) remained limited in Thursday's practice. We'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Raiders.

Chargers WR Mike Williams has been diagnosed with a torn left ACL and will miss the rest of the 2023 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The timing of the injury at least gives Williams a good chance to be ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. He turns 29 in about a week and is officially signed with the Chargers for next season. But his contract currently carries a $32.5 million cap hit. Williams will need to restructure that deal to remain with the team. His absence for the rest of this season leaves behind big opportunity. Williams averaged 8.7 targets on a 21.3% share through three games. WR Josh Palmer is the better immediate bet for production with Williams out. But first-round rookie WR Quentin Johnston is the higher-upside longer-term bet. WR Keenan Allen, RB Austin Ekeler (once healthy), and TE Gerald Everett should also see a bit more volume without Williams.

Chargers RB Joshua Kelley recorded 13 attempts for 39 rushing yards in Week 2 vs. the Titans. Fantasy managers hoping to stream the young back as a replacement for Austin Ekeler (ankle) are likely disappointed by the results of Sunday’s OT loss. Kelley’s heavy involvement in Week 1 still makes him worthy of rostering in deeper leagues, but those in 10 or 12-team leagues can justify throwing him back into the waiver pool. Keep track of the injury reports this week to see if Ekeler will return for next Sunday’s contest vs. the Vikings.