While he and the team have been successful at 8-5, Ekeler’s 2024 season has been marred by two concussions, with the second leading to him being placed on injured reserve.
Ekeler said Tuesday on 106.7 The Fan that he is still experiencing symptoms after his last concussion which he suffered on Nov. 24. He said he doesn’t remember anything from when he suffered the injury until he was in the ambulance on the way. to the hospital, according to The Athletic. Ekeler said he experienced similar memory loss after suffering his first concussion this season in Week 3.
In addition to ongoing symptoms from his most recent concussion, Ekeler is also dealing with neck pain. He said he hasn’t cleared concussion protocol, but he hopes to clear that hurdle soon.
In 2011, the NFL adopted the Game Day Concussion Diagnosis and Management Protocol as a way to help ensure players recover from concussions before returning to the field. The NFL’s concussion protocol is a five-step process that players must go through before being medically cleared to play. The NFL has also adopted rules to help reduce concussions, including making significant changes last year to kickoffs.
In October, the NFL said there was a 24% decrease in concussions during the preseason compared to 2023. The 44 concussions during the preseason were significantly fewer than the 91 concussions suffered during the 2017 preseason.
Despite the league’s efforts, concussions remain a part of the NFL. For Ekeler, he will be eligible to return from IR in Week 18 when the Commanders host the Cowboys in their regular-season finale.
