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Philadelphia Eagles add Donnel Pumphrey to team’s injured reserve

By Geoffrey Knox

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 17: Donnel Pumphrey #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Tanner Vallejo #40 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Bills 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 17: Donnel Pumphrey #34 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Tanner Vallejo #40 of the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Bills 20-16. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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It’s been quite a roller coaster of a first year in the NFL for Eagles rookie running back Donnel Pumphrey.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected rookie running back Donnel Pumphrey with the their second fourth-round selection of the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, it’s been an up-and-down first season. Pumphrey has seen both highs and lows. Honestly, he’s seen more of each than athletes who have been in the NFL twice as long probably have seen.

Pumphrey entered the league riding a thin line. His is a story of high expectations and doubt. He’s generated excitement in OTAs and practices, and he’s stirred up concern and doubt by playing below average on more than one occasion in the preseason. After concerns about whether or not Pumphrey might even make the Eagles roster, he did. Unfortunately, he tore his hamstring in practice following an Eagles week-one victory over the Washington Redskins. As most of you know, that was a game in which Pumphrey was listed as inactive.

Now, according to team head coach Doug Pederson, a decision about what to do has been made. Philly’s electing, as of Friday September 15th, to put Pumphrey on the team’s injured reserve list.

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Pumphrey’s injury leaves the Eagles with LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood as the four backs remaining on the Eagles roster. He joins kicker Caleb Sturgis on the team’s IR. Cornerback Sidney Jones sits on the team’s reserve/non-football injury list.

Philly, shortly after the preseason, placed defensive end Alex McCalister and tight end Tre Sullivan on IR, but they decided to waive both. It appears the Eagles’ newfound wealth at running back made the team’s decision easier.

Adding Pumphrey to the IR now frees up a roster spot for the Eagles. There’s been no word as to how they intend to fill it (let’s hope it’s a cornerback), but Philly also has the option of bringing back two players from injured reserve later this season. It would seem as though Sturgis and Jones would be the obvious choices if they can go, but we’ll all have to wait and see.

With that being said, we may want to reserve ourselves to the notion that we may have seen Pumphrey for the final time in 2017.

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