AustinEkeler

News: 7 days agoEkeler rushed twice for seven yards and didn't catch his only target in Saturday's 20-17 preseason loss to the Jets.

Spin: Ekeler and Brian Robinson got two carries apiece inside the Jets' 10-yard line on the opening drive, but it was quarterback Jayden Daniels who ultimately capped that possession with a three-yard rushing touchdown. Ekeler scored 30 rushing touchdowns over the last three regular seasons as the Chargers' unquestioned top rushing option by the goal line, but he'll have to compete for those valuable looks against Robinson and Daniels in Washington. Both Ekeler and Robinson should continue to mix in with the first-team offense in next Saturday's preseason matchup with the Dolphins.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Ekeler signed with the Commanders after a thoroughly disappointing final season with the Chargers. He scored 38 touchdowns during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, which earned him much fantasy love and the top running back spot in many fantasy leagues, but his 2023 was a struggle. Ekeler suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 (while scoring 26.4 PPR points!), missed three games and never really returned to prominence, seeing sketchy volume among his inefficiency. He recorded five top-10 weekly finishes at RB in 14 games. Ekeler will not cost a first-round pick this season, not in Washington's moribund offense, but if health and volume return, there is enticing bounce-back possibility as a TD-driven, RB2 choice.