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Philadelphia Eagles talk: Has Wendell Smallwood earned the coaches’ trust?

By Geoffrey Knox

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Wendell Smallwood #28 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a game-winning touchdown against linebacker Anthony Walker #50 of the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 20-16. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 23: Running back Wendell Smallwood #28 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a game-winning touchdown against linebacker Anthony Walker #50 of the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 20-16. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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In the wake of so many absences at the running back position and with his improved performance, can we, now, say that the Philadelphia Eagles have a bit more faith in Wendell Smallwood?

Okay, here’s a statement that many fans of the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t going to believe. We, at ITI, have always had faith in Wendell Smallwood, even if no one else did. Stop laughing we’re serious.

Now, we may have given up on Nelson Agholor too early. After all, we did published a story on how the Eagles should have given up on him before his second season in the NFL even began. We even drew up a divorce decree. Ultimately, we were proven wrong, and we were glad that we were.

Still, even with all of that being said, as down as we were on Agholor, we always believed in Smallwood would be fine. If one man can turn the corner, so too can another.

It just appeared that the Eagles coaching staff had given upon him a season ago.

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Let’s take a look back.

You have to dig deep with your scouting team to find real contributors in the fifth round of NFL drafts. That was what the Eagles were hoping for when they made Smallwood the 153rd-overall selection of 2016’s draft.

He’s played well when called upon. He’s filled in nicely in relief of guys like Ryan Mathews and even scored on a kickoff return, but his rookie season ended up with him being placed on the team’s IR.

In his second NFL season, he was often a healthy scratch as it appeared that Philly’ coaches were more interested in finding ways to get the ball into the hands of LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement.

Has #28 turned the corner?

When training camp opened in 2018, it was believed that Smallwood was doomed. He was presumed to be looking up on the depth chart at everyone from Matt Jones to Donnel Pumphrey to Josh Adams.

Well, Smallwood put his head down and charged forward, and when he was done, it was Pumphrey and Jones who had been released and Adams who was on the practice squad. Smallwood had made the team.

Since then, Adams has been promoted to the active roster thanks to injury concerns with Ajayi and Darren Sproles. Smallwood’s filled in nicely when given a chance as he’s carried the ball 17 times and chalked up 84 yards over the last two weeks.

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On Sunday, he punched in the go-ahead score that would ultimately give the Eagles the win in Week three over the Indianapolis Colts. It may have taken a while, but Smallwood may have finally found his way into the good graces of the Eagles coaching staff. He may have found a permanent spot on this team.

If you’re a fan of a team that prides themselves on being the underdogs, then this is a story that has to make you smile.

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