A costly night in Green Bay exposes Washington’s thin margin

Washington running back Austin Ekeler will miss the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles, according to a person familiar with the situation after an MRI confirmed the injury. The team has not formally announced the diagnosis. Ekeler went down without contact in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s 27-18 loss to the Packers, was helped off, then carted to the locker room. The setback came on a night when defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. also suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury on a Green Bay kick attempt, leaving a 1-1 Commanders squad suddenly short-handed on both sides of the ball.

Roster choices meet reality under the cap

Washington traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the 49ers shortly before Week 1, betting on Ekeler’s versatility and promoting rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt into the No. 2 role. That wager now gets stress tested. Ekeler started the first two games, posting 43 rushing yards on 14 carries and five receptions for 38 yards, while continuing to serve as a trusted outlet for Jayden Daniels, last season’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 2023, Ekeler contributed 367 rushing yards and 366 receiving; for his career he has topped 4,700 rushing and 4,200 receiving. Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-rounder, flashed with 82 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Giants and added 17 yards on four carries in Green Bay.

Accountability over alibis

Injuries are part of the league, which is precisely why depth is not a luxury, it is policy. Washington’s brass chose to thin out proven backfield insurance, and that calls for swift, disciplined correction, not handwringing. Elevate Croskey-Merritt, add a veteran runner who can protect the quarterback and catch the ball, and reassert a ball-control identity that takes pressure off a defense now missing Wise. With wideout Noah Brown and tight end John Bates also banged up, proactive roster management and clean special teams play must replace the D.C. reflex to explain away problems.

Next up: Raiders visit on Sept. 21

At 1-1, the Commanders cannot afford a spiral. The Raiders bring a physical front, so protection and early-down efficiency will matter. Expect more touches for Croskey-Merritt and a simplified checkdown structure to keep Daniels on schedule. Win the trenches, win the turnover margin, and lean on situational discipline that travels.

Bottom line

Washington’s path forward is classic next-man-up, but the standard cannot be next-excuse-up. Smart teams plan for worst-case scenarios and move decisively when they arrive. The decision to ship out backfield depth raised the stakes. Now the front office must meet the moment with competence and urgency, because the season will not wait.