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Commanders RB Austin Ekeler carted off with Achilles injury vs. Packers

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (30) looks on before an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) — Austin Ekeler's injury did not look good. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

A bad night for the Washington Commanders offense got even worse in the fourth quarter of "Thursday Night Football," with running back Austin Ekeler getting carted off with a non-contact injury.

The injury occurred when the 30-year-old attempted to cut upfield on a pass play, immediately fell to the ground and clutched his right calf. The Commanders soon announced he had suffered an Achilles injury.

Uh Oh.. It looks like Austin Ekeler tore his achilles. pic.twitter.com/K2Fwy6LIl7
— Rate the Refs (@Rate_the_Refs) September 12, 2025

A major injury for Ekeler — and there are few Achilles injuries that aren't major — would massively shake up the Commanders' running back depth chart. The veteran led the Commanders running backs room in Week 1 with 33 snaps on offense, ahead of rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and journeyman Jeremy McNichols.

Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is now positioned to be the top backfield option after posting 82 rushing yards and a touchdown in Washington's season opener, though it was McNichols who got the snaps on the Commanders' final drive in a 27-18 loss.

As for Ekeler, the injury comes at a particularly bad time considering he was already coming off a 2024 season in which he sustained multiple concussions and finished with 733 yards from scrimmage, his lowest total since his rookie year.

Tucker Kraft's TD reception gives Packers 24-10 lead

Tucker Kraft is having a night.

The Packers tight end has six catches for 124 yards, and his 8-yard touchdown reception might be the death knell for the Commanders. Kraft's touchdown with 8:57 left completed a nine-play, 65-yard drive and has upped the Packers lead to 24-10.

Kraft is having the best night for a Packers tight end since Richard Rodgers caught eight passes for 146 yards, including 61 on a Hail Mary from Aaron Rodgers on the final play for a win over the Lions in 2015.

The Packers now have 405 yards, with Jordan Love going 19-of-29 for 292 yards and two touchdowns.

Josh Jacobs has 20 rushes for 70 yards and a touchdown, his 11th consecutive game with a rushing touchdown, including the postseason.

Jayden Daniels' TD throw gets Commanders within 17-10

The Commanders had five first downs and 94 yards on their first seven possessions. They punted four times, missed two field goals and made a field goal.

The Commanders opened the fourth quarter with their best drive.

They drove 50 yards in 11 plays, picking up four first downs, and scoring a touchdown on Jayden Daniels' 20-yard touchdown throw to tight end Zach Ertz.

Despite being dominated most of the night, the Commanders are within 17-10 with 13:45 left.

Daniels is 16-of-26 for 119 yards, while Ertz has four catches for 49 yards.

The Packers have 356 yards but are having a tough time putting away the Commanders.

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