25 Facts About Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler is an American professional football running back and return specialist for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League.

Austin Ekeler played college football for the Western Colorado Mountaineers, finishing as their all-time leader in rushing yards before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

Austin Ekeler was born on May 17,1995, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and attended Eaton High School in Eaton, Colorado, where he played high school football.

Austin Ekeler attended and played college football at Western Colorado from 2013 to 2016 and is their all-time leader in rushing yards.

Austin Ekeler led the team with 1,049 rushing yards to go along with seven rushing touchdowns.

Austin Ekeler scored a receiving touchdown in Weeks 4 and 5 against the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders.

Austin Ekeler returned for the regular season finale against the Broncos and scored a rushing touchdown.

Austin Ekeler began the season as the starter while Melvin Gordon was in a contract dispute.

In Week 3 against the Houston Texans, Austin Ekeler rushed nine times for 36 yards and caught seven receptions for 45 yards.

In Week 4, Austin Ekeler suffered a hamstring injury and a hyperextended knee and was expected to miss four to six weeks.

Austin Ekeler was placed on injured reserve on October 9,2020.

Austin Ekeler made his return from injury in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills.

Austin Ekeler finished the 2020 season with 116 carries for 530 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with 54 receptions for 403 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Austin Ekeler tallied 206 attempts for 911 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns to go along with 70 receptions for 647 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

Austin Ekeler had eight games going over 100 yards from scrimmage.

Austin Ekeler was ranked 46th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

In Week 17, against the Los Angeles Rams, Austin Ekeler rushed for 122 yards and had 39 receiving yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 72-yard run, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Austin Ekeler finished the 2022 season with 204 carries for 915 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns to go along with 107 receptions for 722 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, leading the league with 18 total touchdowns.

Austin Ekeler finished the 2023 season with 179 carries for 628 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go with 51 receptions for 436 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 14 games and starts.

Austin Ekeler signed a two-year contract with the Washington Commanders on March 18,2024.

Austin Ekeler suffered a concussion in a Week 3 Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals and sat out the following week against the Arizona Cardinals.

Austin Ekeler was activated for the regular season finale against the Cowboys.

Austin Ekeler finished the 2024 season with 77 carries for 367 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go with 35 receptions for 366 receiving yards to go with some kick return duties.

Austin Ekeler earned Second-Team All-Pro honors as a kick returner in 2024.

Austin Ekeler finished third in the NFL with 594 kickoff return yards on 19 total returns in 12 games.