Ekeler suffered a concussion returning a kickoff in the final seconds of a 34-26 loss to Dallas last week and will now miss at least four weeks.
Washington (7-5) plays Tennessee (3-8) on Sunday, but has a bye on Dec. 8, so Ekeler could miss only three games, if he can return. After the play, Ekeler lay motionless on the ground before he was helped up and walked dizzily toward the sideline.
Ekeler also missed a Week 4 game at Arizona with a concussion. He leads Washington running backs with 701 yards from scrimmage: he has rushed for 355 yards and has another 346 receiving yards. Washington signed running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. to the roster earlier this week to back up Brian Robinson Jr. and Jeremy McNichols.
Forbes was the 16th pick in the 2023 draft, selected ahead of cornerbacks such as New England’s Christian Gonzalez and Pittsburgh’s Joey Porter Jr.. Washington’s former front office and coaching staff liked that Forbes was adept at taking the ball away. He intercepted 14 passes in his Mississippi State career, setting a Division I record with six returned for touchdowns.
But Forbes only started seven games in two seasons and played just six games in 2024 with one start. He was on the bench both years, but also suffered several injuries that kept him out. If Forbes is not claimed off waivers, he would count $9.1 million against his salary cap in 2025.
He becomes the third first-round pick from the previous regime that Washington’s new front office, led by general manager Adam Peters, has dumped this year. The Commanders traded catcher Jahan Dotson, a 2022 first-round pick, to Philadelphia in August. They released linebacker Jamin Davis, a 2021 first-round pick, on October 22.
The organization traded 2019 and 2020 first-round picks (defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat) at the trade deadline last season.
Washington also elevated kicker Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad. The Commanders placed kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve earlier this week due to a groin injury.
