The Commanders will be down a running back for their Week 4 matchup with the Cardinals.
Austin Ekeler left Washington's "Monday Night Football" game against the Bengals after taking a head-on hit in the third quarter. He went into concussion protocol and was later ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Ekeler was diagnosed with a concussion and has already been ruled out for Sunday's game in Arizona, per head coach Dan Quinn.
The 29-year-old signed a two-year contract worth up to $11 million with the Commanders this offseason. He has provided another element in their evolving offense around star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels as a pass-catcher and physical runner.
Who will step up into the backup running back role with Ekeler out? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
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Commanders RB depth chart
| Starter | Brian Robinson Jr. |
| Backup | Austin Ekeler (Inj.) |
| Third-string | Jeremy McNichols |
Brian Robinson Jr.
Robinson Jr. was already listed as the starter on Washington's depth chart, and the third-year running back's breakout season is underway.
The Commanders selected Robinson with their third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama. The start of his NFL career was derailed when he was shot in the leg during an attempted robbery going into his rookie season, but he has gotten back on track this year.
Robinson is Washington's leading rusher through three games, tallying 206 yards and two touchdowns on 45 carries. He has a stronghold on the RB1 role, outpacing Ekeler by 32 carries and 28 touches so far.
Robinson should be in line for a monster game against the Cardinals on Sunday as the Commanders' bellcow back.
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Austin Ekeler
Ekeler was signed by the Commanders this offseason to provide Robinson with some relief in the backfield. Robinson is more of a downhill runner, so the idea was that Ekeler would give Washington's offense a different look in the running and passing game.
After a disappointing and injury-riddled 2023 season, Ekeler had been solid in his RB2 role before the concussion. He has 83 rushing yards and one touchdown on just 13 carries and has added nine receptions for 121 receiving yards through the air.
He's even served as a kick returner, breaking off a 62-yard run to open the second half against the Bengals.
Ekeler will resume his role as Washington's RB2 once he clears concussion protocol.
Jeremy McNichols
McNichols is a 29-year-old journeyman who is on his fifth team in seven NFL seasons.
Originally drafted by the Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Boise State, McNichols has bounced around to the 49ers, Colts, Jaguars, Titans, and Commanders.
He only has one carry for one yard so far this season but will likely receive an uptick in touches on Sunday to give Robinson a breather.
McNichols' best season came with Tennessee in 2020 when he had 47 carries for 204 yards and one touchdown.
