(Image via Getty: Jayden Daniels) The 2024 season saw a resurgent Washington Commanders team finish with a 12-5 record and a deep playoff run that culminated in the NFC Championship. They carried the same mindset into the 2025 season, but suffered a setback two weeks in. The Commanders’ star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, lost several key offensive weapons and defensive players to concerning injuries, including—RB Austin Ekeler, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., WR Noah Brown, and TE John Bates. Daniels acknowledged the blow, stating, “You know it’s always tough losing veteran players.” What else did the signal caller say? And what were the concerning injuries? Let’s find out, shall we?
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Austin Ekeler (running back)—Achilles injury
On September 12, NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared a series of updates on Austin Ekeler’s Achilles injury:“Commanders RB Austin Ekeler has been carted to the locker room after hurting what appeared to be his lower leg.”“Commanders said Austin Ekeler suffered an Achilles injury. Awful.”“Here is the play on which Commanders RB Austin Ekleler suffered an Achilles injury:”“Sources: Commanders believe veteran RB Austin Ekeler did in fact tear his Achilles during Thursday night’s loss at Green Bay. Ekeler still needs to undergo imaging that is scheduled Friday for confirmation.”On September 13, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport wrote on his X:#Commanders RB Austin Ekeler has, in fact, torn his Achilles, the MRI confirmed. He’s out for the 2025 season.
Deatrich Wise Jr. (defensive end)—Quad injury
On September 12, Saad Yousuf and Nicki Jhabwala of The Athletic reported that Commanders veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. was carted off the field in the second quarter of the team’s Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers. He was ruled out with a quad injury before the quarter ended.The Packers had just scored an extra point after their second touchdown. During the extra point attempt, Wise had gotten through the offensive line and was going to block the kick, but Commanders linebacker Kain Medrano rushed against the Packers tackle Anthony Belton. Belton fell back on Wise’s right leg.
Noah Brown (wide receiver)—Groin injury
On September 12, John Keim of ESPN’s Commanders shared two updates on wide receiver Noah Brown’s groin injury on X:Noah Brown (groin) questionable to return.WR Noah Brown (groin) has been ruled out.According to Rotowire, Brown departed Thursday’s game with a groin issue in the third quarter but was ruled out quickly. The severity of the issue is unclear, though he will have few extra days to recover ahead of Washington’s Week 3 match up against the Las Vegas Raiders.
John Bates (tight end)—Groin injury
On September 12, Ivan Lambert of the Commanders Wire reported that John Bated left the Packers vs Commanders game in the second quarter. At halftime, the Commanders’ radio broadcast team announced Bates had suffered a groin injury. And he would not return to the game. The official X handle of the Washington Commanders also wrote—“TE John Bates (groin) is questionable to return” and “Bates has been downgraded to OUT.”
Powerhouse of talent—Quarterback Jayden Daniels left without his weapons—running back, tight end, wide receiver, and defensive end
During the Packers vs Commanders game, Jayden Daniels was left without his gridiron weapons—RB Austin Ekeler, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., WR Noah Brown, and TE John Bates. The Commanders lost to the Packers by a disappointing score of 27-18. However, Daniels did not lose hope or get lost in despair. On September 12, the no-longer-a-rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, addressed the media at the post-game conference. The 24-year-old signal caller said, “We got 10 days until our next game; it’s nothing to dwell about. It’s early in the season. I wouldn’t expect anybody in this locker room to hit a panic button. We faced a really good team, and we came up short. We move on to the next game.”Also Read: Packers practice squad WR Isaiah Neyor’s massive diamond chain draws more attention than anything else | NFL News – The Times of India