Inside the Iggles
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Philadelphia Eagles: 5 players to watch against the New York Jets

By Justin Grasso

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Defensive end Steven Means #51 of the Philadelphia Eagles tries to rally the fans against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 31: Defensive end Steven Means #51 of the Philadelphia Eagles tries to rally the fans against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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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) /

Donnel Pumphrey, RB

Perhaps the biggest question of the offseason is whether second-year running back Donnel Pumphrey makes the Eagles final roster or not. Last year, the Eagles drafted Pumphrey in hopes of him becoming another undersized offensive weapon like Darren Sproles. After a disappointing preseason filled with injuries and slow progression, the Eagles practically red-shirted Pumphrey by sending him to the Injured Reserve.

There was a lot of good news coming out of the Nova Care Complex regarding Pumphrey’s progress towards becoming a better back in the pro’s. The hype made him an intriguing prospect to watch once again as preseason approached. Sure enough, though, Pumphrey went down with an injury that kept him on the sidelines for the first three games of the preseason.

Pumphrey is expected to play on Thursday, and we have no clue what to expect. We saw the Eagles give Pumphrey plenty of chances in the preseason last year, which indicated their substantial interest in him. As he hasn’t really played at all this offseason, we can assume that the Eagles want to give him a final chance to make the roster as a second-year veteran. It’s not clear how much of a role he will have against the Jets, but it’s going to be quite difficult for Pumphrey to convince the coaching staff that he belongs in the crowded backfield.

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