The Washington Commanders have surprised plenty of people by winning two of their first three games this season, and there is suddenly a trickle of optimism about what could be possible for them this season.
They upset the Cincinnati Bengals on “Monday Night Football” thanks to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had a sensational performance in front of a national television audience.
In Week 4, they visit the Arizona Cardinals, but they will be without running back Austin Ekeler, who is dealing with a concussion, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Ekeler is in his eighth season in the NFL, and in the past few years went from a relatively humble backup to a starter who put up some pretty big numbers.
He played his first seven seasons for the Los Angeles Chargers, and he led the league in total touchdowns in both 2021 and 2022 while posting more than 900 rushing yards in both seasons.
So far this season, his first with the Commanders, he has just 83 rushing yards, although he does have 121 receiving yards on just nine catches.
Ekeler has served as the backup to Brian Robinson Jr., and both of them, along with Daniels, have helped Washington rank fifth in rushing yards and tied for first in rushing touchdowns.
Daniels has helped out with 171 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, to go along with his 664 passing yards and two touchdowns.
The rookie leads the NFL with an amazing 80.3 percent pass completion rate, and in the win against the Bengals he completed 21 of his 23 pass attempts.
