The Commanders’ 26-34 loss to the Cowboys leave them 7-5 and with three losses in a row to tidy up. Not only that… They also have a head injury to take care of as Austin Ekeler got swept in a tackle in the last minutes of the game. One post from Dov Kleiman summed it up: “Prayers for Austin Ekeler 🙏He got knocked out cold.” Prayers with his family, too. Especially his wife, Melanie, who had the perfect pregame snap to share.

The night before the game, Melanie took to her Instagram story to share a family pic with Austin and her parents with a caption that read: “My heart is so full.” Fast forward to just hours before the incident, they even shared a kiss as Austin was heading down the tunnel. We will soon have the full extent of the injury with us. But one can only imagine the plight of Melanie and Austin’s loved ones.

Ekeler’s injury happened on a last-ditch kickoff return with fewer than 15 seconds left. Down by eight, the Commanders needed a miracle. Ekeler delivered part of it, returning the ball to Washington’s 36-yard line before a bone-jarring tackle sent him crashing to the ground. It was one of those moments where time slows down, and all you can do is hold your breath.

Thankfully, there’s some relief in this story. While Ekeler was initially unresponsive, he managed to stand up and walk off the field under his own power. For now, we wait for updates on his condition, but seeing him walk away was a sigh of relief on an otherwise brutal night for Washington. Especially when you bear in mind that he is fresh off another blow to the hit in the same season!

Austin Ekeler’s bout with head injuries

Here’s the thing: Austin Ekeler’s run-ins with head injuries are starting to feel like a troubling trend. Remember the hit he took against the Bengals? That game ended with a win, but not before Ekeler had to go through concussion protocol. Fast forward to Sunday, and it happened again—this time during a kickoff return against the Cowboys. The collision was brutal, leaving Ekeler motionless on the field as players from both teams frantically called for the medics.

The broadcast cut to a commercial, and fans were left holding their breath. When play resumed, there was relief all around as Ekeler got to his feet with help from the medical team and made his way to the sidelines. But let’s not sugarcoat it—this is his second possible concussion this season, and that’s not a stat any player wants on their record. Sure, football is a game of grit, but even the toughest players have to think long-term. How much more can he take?

For now, the Commanders and their fans are focused on Ekeler’s recovery. Whether he clears the concussion protocol or needs time away, the priority is clear: his health comes first. You hate to see a player’s season—and possibly more—hang in the balance, but that’s the reality of hits like these.