By Aaron Wilson
Veteran free agent running back Austin Ekeler works out today for the Carolina #Panthers, league sources told KPRC 2.
#AustinEkeler has been fully medically cleared after tearing his Achilles last season with the Washington #Commanders.
A former Los Angeles #Chargers standout and one of the most versatile running backs in the game, Ekeler, 31, led the NFL in touchdowns twice.
He has rushed for 4,765 career yards and 43 touchdowns and caught 480 passes for 4,288 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Two seasons ago for the Commanders, Ekeler averaged 4.8 yards per carrywith 35 receptions for 366 yards.
One year ago, he tore his Achilles in a loss to the Green Bay Packers on a noncontact injury and was carted off the field.
A former undrafted free agent from Western Colorado, Ekeler (5-foot-9, 198 pounds) was named second-team All-Pro as a kickoff returner in 2024 as he averaged 31.3 yards per kickoff return.
He got hurt in the second game of last season, finishing the year with 43 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards.
Ekeler rushed for a career-high 915 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022. His career-high for catches: 92 receptions for 993 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019.
In the playoffs, Ekeler has rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns with 21 catches for 125 yards and two scores.
The 1-1 Panthers rank 20th in rushing offense this season with Chuba Hubbard leading the team with 102 rushing yards on 22 carries. He has caught five passes for 49 yards. Jonothan Brooks has gained 30 yards, on nine carries. And AJ Dillon has rushed for 25 yards on eight carries.
Ekeler's pass-catching skills and experience, if he joins the Panthers, could come in handy.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL insider for KPRC 2 and Sports Talk 790. His YouTube channel:
