Austin Ekeler to IR: Who picks up the slack?

Boone

Boone

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The Commanders moved Austin Ekeler to IR this week as a result of his latest concussion. He will miss at least the next 5 weeks. If Washington makes the post-season, still possible he may return then. Until then, the Commanders have a problem - who do they turn to in his absence?

Ekeler has racked up 355 rushing yards on 74 carries, 4 rushing TDs, averaging nearly 5 yds/carry. More importantly, he has been 346 yds on 33 receptions, providing Jayden Daniels with arguably his most reliable safety valve. Only Terry McLaurin has more yards per touch than Ekeler.

So who - be it another RB, or a WR/TE is going to step up in Ekeler's absence to provide similar production?
 
I don't think we have another third down back on the roster, but here's an idea.

Maybe this is the way to start to get Sinnott involved. They talked about him like an H-back. Put him in the backfield for protection and for routes in the flat/elsewhere.
 
I think we've all been surprised at how limited Sinnott's opportunities have been given where we drafted him. I think Jon Bates is a better TE than he gets credit for as well.
 
True. It may also be a necessity to have that extra blocker since our line even when overproducing is a little sketchy. The more I think about it though, I kind of like the idea of Sinnott getting some snaps at full back/third down back.
 
He's a rookie though. And he's already had some mental mistakes. I'm not sure putting it on him on key downs is likely something they'd do.

I don't think someone 'picking up the slack' has to be in the backfield. As mentioned, we don't have another RB with Ekeler's receiving abilities. But they have to find someone outside of Ertz and Terry to produce on offense. Have to.
 
I don’t think they’ll have anyone to pick up the slack. McNichols is as close as we’ll get at this stage and he’s no Ekeler. Yes, we have to find other players to step up, but unfortunately I think we’ll have to wait until the offseason to find them. I wouldn’t be surprised if we never saw Ekeler again.

I think Sinnott should stay at tight end and learn the position. A lot of the time TEs don’t find their groove until year 2 or 3. Take a look at Travis Kelce. He didn’t have a single reception his whole rookie year but he had 67 his second year and only got better from there.
 
Is Crowder still on this roster? Targeted once all season. Why did we even sign the guy?
 
Boone said:
Is Crowder still on this roster? Targeted once all season. Why did we even sign the guy?
Click to expand...
I think we had visions of him as a punt returner. Speaking of which, Ekler wasn't only our 3rd down back but an effective KR, I wonder who takes on that role?
 
We don’t have anyone to replace the versatility and talent of Ekeler. It will have to be by committee and by a significant alteration of the scheme.
 
I want 3 step drops and Dyami in the slot. We can survive without rb screens and tosses but we can't hold off pressure with this current incarnation of an o line for long developing plays. Control the clock.
 
Mathis gonna run like an F350
 
Apparently the answer is the entire offense
 
BRob, CRod, and Jeremy McNichols and the OL opening up holes for them today were incredible. Blown away by the effort.
 
It was quite a treat to watch, wasn't it? Yet, although we were treated to a masterclass on the ground, Jayden was called on to pass plenty of times with a much better balance. Third quarter slump aside, this was a significant improvement.
 
Boone said:
Is Crowder still on this roster? Targeted once all season. Why did we even sign the guy?
Click to expand...

Opps that was last offseason we resigned him not this year.
 
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