FantasyPros Accuracy Award

2025 Accuracy Award Winner

Close FantasyPros Accuracy Award
Open Nav
Players
    Articles
      Shark Bites
        Show Navigation
        Show Menu
        FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

        What's The Austin Ekeler Injury Mean For Washington's Backfield?

        By Jared Smola | Updated on Fri, Sep 12 2025 12:41 PM UTC
        Austin Ekeler Headshot

        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.

        2025 Fantasy Football Impact

        Through close to two full games to open this season, Ekeler:

        • Played 52% of Washington's offensive snaps
        • Ran a route on 45% of the pass plays
        • Handled 37% of the designed rush attempts
        • Drew a 9.7% target share

        Ekeler's absence leaves the backfield to Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jeremy McNichols, and Chris Rodriguez.

        Expect Croskey-Merritt to soak up most of Ekeler's early-down work. But he's unlikely to gain much playing time in passing situations. JCM totaled 34 catches across three college seasons, including just seven in his big 2023 campaign at New Mexico. He's catch-less on two targets through his first two NFL games.

        We saw the impact that the lack of pass-catching can have on Croskey-Merritt in the Week 2 loss to the Packers. With Washington playing from behind for most of the game, JCM played just 23% of the offensive snaps, finishing with four carries and one target.

        Ekeler's absence will certainly help Croskey-Merritt's role, but he still looks like a game-script-dependent fantasy play for now.

        McNichols is the favorite to take over most of Ekeler's passing-down action. He notably played every snap after Ekeler went down in Week 2. We don't expect McNichols to get enough work to be a reliable fantasy option, although you can consider stashing him in deeper PPR leagues as we wait to see exactly what this backfield will look like.

        Rodriguez has been a healthy scratch in Washington's first two games but figures to join the backfield committee going forward. He's an early-down back that could siphon some work from Croskey-Merritt, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Like McNichols, Rodriguez could be worth a stash. But we'd bet against him emerging as a bankable fantasy play, especially in PPR leagues.

        WR Deebo Samuel could also pick up a little more rushing and short-range passing action with Ekeler out.

        Jared Smola Author Image
        Jared Smola, Lead Analyst
        Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and in-season tools. He currently ranks ninth among 173 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.
        Week 7 Matchups That Matter: Get-Right Spot For Jayden Daniels

        Week 7 Matchups That Matter: Get-Right Spot For Jayden Daniels

        10:10am UTC 10/19/25

        A quick look at the most important matchup data to consider when making Week 7 start/sit decisions. Projected points, WR-CB matchup upgrades and downgrades, and more!

        Read More »
        Week 7 IDP Hits: Who's Your LB Now?

        Week 7 IDP Hits: Who's Your LB Now?

        8:12pm UTC 10/18/25

        Injuries, returns, and lineup renovations meant a lot of playing-time changes in Week 6. Who should you grab? Who should you dump? And what still might change again?

        Read More »
        Week 7 Wide Receiver Preview: Tetairoa McMillan’s Hot Streak Meets a Tough Matchup

        Week 7 Wide Receiver Preview: Tetairoa McMillan’s Hot Streak Meets a Tough Matchup

        4:09pm UTC 10/17/25

        From rookies in plus spots to vets with proven ceilings, these WRs have the matchups to rack up points in Week 7.

        Read More »
        Money Back You have our personal money-back guarantee: If you’re not happy with our service for any reason, just reach out by December 31, 2025, and we’ll give you 100% of your subscription money back. No strings attached.  You can cancel with one-click from your account page anytime.
        Compare Plans » Compare Plans »