Philadelphia Eagles: An update on a few former running backs

Josh Adams, the Philadelphia Eagles leading rusher in 2018, got his pink slip in September. Here’s an update on him and a few other former running backs.

What a difference a year makes. In 2018, an injury-laden season led to the Philadelphia Eagles finding key contributors in unlikely places, particularly in the backfield. Their leading rusher from that season, Josh Adams, was an undrafted free agent. One of the heroes of the Super Bowl, Corey Clement, was a nonfactor before being injured himself, and even though the Eagles made moves to address their issues at tailback in the most recent offseason, the first three regular-season games of 2019 gave fans little to cheer about.

Heading into Week 4, the hope is Philly’s developed some rhythm following a win over the Green Bay Packers.

Before that, in the Spring and Summer, the talent the team acquired in free agency and via the draft resulted in the need to make hard decisions on who would make up the best mix at the position. That led to some turnover, and in that, Philly said farewell to their leading rusher from a season ago.

As mentioned, it took a while to gain momentum, but the team seems to be on the right track after Jordan Howard rushed 15 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns on the ground (he added another in the passing game) and Miles Sanders finished with 11 carries for 72 yards.

Whatever happened to their leading rusher from a season ago? He followed Joe Douglas to the New York Jets and managed to earn a spot on their practice squad, and that’s where he continues to sit as the fifth game of the Eagles’ regular-season campaign approaches.

For the uninformed, we’re discussing Josh Adams, and he’s already experienced a rocky road in the NFL. In 2018, he was originally cut in favor of Clement, Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles, and Wendell Smallwood. Adams, the former Notre Dame standout found himself in a similar situation heading into 2019 as, again, the Eagles had a very crowded backfield.

Adams was joined by the aforementioned Howard, Sanders, Sproles, Clement, and Smallwood. Then, there was Boston Scott and Donnel Pumphrey who were also battling for roster spots.

In the end, Howard, Sanders, Sproles, and Clement would make the team. Smallwood was claimed by the Washington Redskins. Pumphrey is still a free agent. Scott was added back to Philadelphia’s practice squad.

Adams, the Eagles’ leading rusher from a season ago, is still waiting for an opportunity to prove that he belongs when it doesn’t seem like he should have to. Who knows? Maybe it’s the fumbling issue, but here’s what we can say definitively. how quickly things change in the NFL.