Austin Ekeler says he is open to continuing his NFL career after recovering from Achilles injury

Austin Ekeler is not closing the door on his NFL career. Speaking through a report published Tuesday, the veteran running back said he remains open to returning to football and is looking for the right fit after spending the offseason unsigned as a free agent.

Ekeler’s last completed season ended with a major setback. While he was with the Commanders, he tore his Achilles in a Week 2 loss to the Packers last September, an injury that kept him out for the remainder of that year. According to the report, Ekeler is now healthy enough to think seriously about resuming his playing career.

At 31, Ekeler has not been tied to a new contract since he became a free agent in March, leaving his next steps dependent on whether a team views his recovery as a fit for its role needs. The report frames his stance as proactive, with Ekeler interested in finding a team where his skills can be used consistently, rather than simply waiting for an opportunity at the margins.

From a team-building perspective, Ekeler’s appeal has historically gone beyond the usual run-game calculus. He has been valued as a versatile back who can contribute in the passing game, and a healthy return would give an offense a proven, all-down option if the recovery holds. That said, the path back for any player coming off an Achilles injury is the central question, and teams typically weigh workload management and usage patterns heavily in the months after such injuries.

The timing also matters. With the NFL season approaching, Ekeler’s willingness to continue puts additional pressure on teams that are still clarifying their depth chart at running back and how they want to structure their short-yardage and pass-catching roles. Even if Ekeler is not expected to replicate his peak workload immediately, a landing spot could still influence how an offense distributes carries and targets among its backs.

For Ekeler, the next decision is likely to hinge on opportunity and role clarity. The report indicates he is looking for the right situation, not just any contract, which suggests teams would need to believe the fit is real, both on the field and in the broader plan for the backfield. If discussions progress, the signings and training-camp reps that follow will be the real indicators of whether his comeback timeline is taking shape as intended.

What to watch next is whether any team publicly expresses interest in Ekeler’s availability and how he performs in any subsequent workouts or camps. For now, the only confirmed development is his stated readiness and openness to continue, with all on-field details still to be determined.