The Washington Commanders suffered a major blow in Week 2 when Austin Ekeler went down with what team officials fear is a torn Achilles. The veteran back was carted off against the Packers and has already been ruled out indefinitely, with further tests expected to confirm the extent of the damage, according to ESPN. For fantasy managers who drafted Ekeler as a PPR anchor, the focus now shifts to finding an immediate replacement. Here are five names to keep on the radar moving forward.
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1. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Commanders)
The rookie was already carving out a role, logging 82 rushing yards and a score in the opener. With Ekeler sidelined, Croskey-Merritt should see the majority of early-down work and could quickly become a weekly starter in most formats. Despite his heroics in the Week 1 matchup vs Detroit, the rookie only featured for four carries vs Washington totaling 17 yards.
Croskey-Merritt is already owned in 78% of fantasy leagues, according to Yahoo. And with Ekeler, who was part of 47% of snaps now out, JCM will eventually see at least 10-15 touches a game, given his inexperience. The Commanders face Las Vegas in their Week 3 matchup, who shut down TreVeyon Henderson, and Rhamondre Stevenson in their Week 1 matchup. However, their following matchups could prove to be very impactful for Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
2. Javonte Williams (Dallas Cowboys)
Javonte Williams has elevated his status to RB1 on the Cowboys depth chart, followed by Jaydon Blue and then Miles Sanders, who’s fumble caused Dallas dearly in their loss to Philadelphia. Williams played a bulk of the Cowboys snaps in their Week 1 matchup (80%) and managed to put up 64 yards on 17 touches, scoring 20.4 PPR.
While Jaydon Blue stole the spotlight when it came to touchdowns, Williams looked to have cemented his place as the workhorse running back. Combining that with the matchup he faces in Week 2, Williams could be a great pickup, considering the Giants ranked sixth-worse in the Run Defense department last season and have made no significant upgrades.
3. Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans)
Moving on from Javonte Williams, another viable trade target to replace Austin Ekeler is former Cowboy and now a Tennessee Titan, Tony Pollard. Pollard put on a massive outing turning back the clock with 89 yards on 19 touches. However, Pollard also logged the most usage of the three players on this list with 90%.
Pollard will also enjoy a favorable matchup in Week 2, as the Titans take on the Los Angeles Rams who had clear answers to CJ Stroud, but ended up conceding the 13th most rushing yards in Week 1.
Pollard has historically been a bad matchup for the Rams tallying 280 yards, and 2 TDs with 34 carries against them, per Statmuse.
Fantasy Impact
Ekeler’s loss leaves a massive hole, but Washington’s depth gives managers a few avenues. Croskey-Merritt is the clear in-house pickup, McNichols offers passing-game stability, and Rodriguez is the touchdown lottery ticket. Outside options like Cook and Warren provide stronger week-to-week reliability if you can acquire them. Until the Commanders clarify how they’ll divide touches, spreading waiver claims or trade offers is the safest path.
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