Austin Ekeler’s Torn Achilles — What It Tells Us About Achilles Injuries & Recovery

What Happened to Austin Ekeler

In Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season, Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a non-contact play. He attempted a cut while running a route, felt something give in his right leg, and was carted off the field. MRI confirmed the tear, and Ekeler was ruled out for the rest of the season. 

Achilles injuries are among the most serious lower-leg injuries for athletes. Recovery can take many months, and while many players return to sports, it requires careful management, physical therapy, and the right treatment plan. 

What Is an Achilles Tear?

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and is critical for running, jumping, changing directions, and every push-off step you take. When it tears (often from sudden load or force), it causes sharp pain, swelling, and inability to push off the foot. MRI or ultrasound typically confirms the diagnosis.

Non-contact injuries — where the athlete does not collide with another player or object — are common in Achilles tears, especially when changing direction or stopping suddenly. This is precisely how Ekeler’s injury happened. 

Why These Injuries Aren’t Just “Part of the Game”

  • The Achilles is under tremendous force in most athletic movements, particularly in NFL-style routes.
  • Age, prior injuries, biomechanical stresses (flat feet, poor ankle flexibility, weak calf muscles), and sometimes footwear & surface type can increase risk.
  • Recovery is long: rest, surgical or non-surgical repair, rehab, plus gradual reintroduction to sport.

How Align Foot & Ankle Helps Athletes Recover and Prevent Achilles Injuries

At Align, we treat Achilles injuries with a full sports medicine approach. Here’s how we help:

  • Digital Imaging & Diagnostic Tools
    • Digital X-rays and MRI referrals help rule out associated injuries or complications.
    • Gait scans, pressure mapping, and 3D analysis allow us to see how a patient walks or runs — so we can identify biomechanical factors that contributed to the injury.
  • Supportive Solutions
    • 3-D Custom orthotics to support the foot arch, reduce strain on the tendon, and improve alignment.
    • QuadraStep are growth-friendly orthotic systems for younger athletes or those who need semi-custom support.
  • Regenerative and Restorative Therapies
    • Electrohydraulic Shockwave therapy: Helps stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance tendon repair.
    • Class IV laser therapy: Assists with pain control and tissue recovery deep in the leg.
    • DPMX regenerative injections: Used when tissue damage is more severe, to help drive healing from within.
  • Rehab & Return-to-Play Protocols
    • Physical therapy focusing on calf strengthening, ankle mobility, and gradual load progression.
    • Education on recovery — how to protect it, what to avoid, when to advance training.

Key Takeaways for Athletes & Active People

  • Achilles tears can happen suddenly, even without contact.
  • Recognize the early signs: sharp pain, inability to push off, swelling near the tendon.
  • Don’t rush recovery; rushing can lead to reinjury.
  • Preventative care is powerful: STRETCH! Make it a habit to stretch your hamstrings and calf muscles multiple times a day to prevent tears similar to this. Proper warm-ups, footwear, strengthening calf muscles, and aligning gait mechanics make all the difference. 
  • If pain or discomfort around the Achilles lingers, seeing a specialized sports podiatrist (like Dr. Ho-Ellsworth) early can make a difference in outcomes.

Align Foot & Ankle Clinic is here for you — for diagnosis, treatment, rehab, and prevention. Let’s work together to keep you strong, resilient, and in the game.

 Align Foot & Ankle | 1600 W 1600 W 38th St #408, Austin, TX 78731
512-882-4911

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