The Washington Commanders have little control over what happens next for running back Austin Ekeler, who is in concussion protocol for the second time this season following a terrifying hit while returning a kick against the Dallas Cowboys on November 24.

Ekeler was placed on injured reserve on November 30, which means he will miss at least three more games for the Commanders, who are 8-5 and fighting for the seventh and final playoff berth in the NFC.

For Ekeler, there is also the possibility that he will not play again this season after saying 106.7. According to The Fan’s Grant Paulsen, he has suffered memory loss after both concussions this season and has no recollection of anything prior to the hit against the Cowboys until he was in the ambulance on his way to the hospital.

The Commanders should act immediately to locate a replacement for Ekeler with a similar skill set and sign two-time Super Bowl champion Jerick McKinnon for the season’s final stretch.

“Versatility is the appeal for Jerick McKinnon,” writes David Kenyon of Bleacher Report on November 30. “Most significantly, it focuses on his pass-catching ability as a running back. He’s had 269 receptions in eight NFL seasons, including two years with 50 or more catches. McKinnon even scored nine touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022. However, he would not have to be relegated to a third-down position. McKinnon was a regular on Kansas City’s special teams in 2023, covering kicks and punts all season.

McKinnon, a 5-foot-9 and 205-pound player from Georgia Southern, was drafted in the third round (No. 96 overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014. After four seasons, he signed a four-year, $30 million free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers before the 2018 season.

McKinnon missed every game of the 2018 and 2019 seasons due to major knee ailments, but returned in 2020 to sign three successive one-year contracts with the Chiefs, including career highs of 56 receptions for 512 yards and nine receiving touchdowns in 2022.

In 2023, McKinnon had 25 receptions for 192 yards and four touchdowns, including two for 15 yards in a Super Bowl victory over the 49ers.

There’s also vital postseason experience to consider, something the Commanders lack. McKinnon has 617 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in ten postseason games. He also produced one of the most brilliant plays in Super Bowl history against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, when he slid and fell at the 1-yard line instead of scoring a score, allowing the Chiefs to run out the clock and win.

Commanders pick up the pace at the right time.
The Commanders are losing Ekeler at a time when they require all hands on deck as they strive for their first playoff appearance since 2020 and first winning season since 2016. After opening 7-2, the Commanders dropped three straight games before rebounding with a win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.

Ekeler has been an important part of the offence since signing a two-year, $8.34 million free agent contract with Washington in March 2024. He ranks third on the club in rushing with 355 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He is also fourth on the team in receiving with 33 receptions for 346 yards, which is where McKinnon may make up the most for his absence.