A less-than-stellar backfield means the Philadelphia Eagles are praying “26” doesn’t get hurt.
Don’t look now. There’s something that needs to be said. Actually, most of you have already figured this out.
The Eagles have a lot of small guys playing the running back position. Most have the same skillset. One, Corey Clement, has accumulated a very extensive injury history in just three seasons (the last two ended with a trip to the injured reserve), and in looking from the outside, it appears Philly’s next plan of action might be to add one of two free agents who are clearly past their prime in LeSean McCoy and Devonta Freeman.
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Currently, on the depth chart in addition to Clement, Philly also employs Boston Scott, Michael Warren, Adrian Killins, Elijah Holyfield, and Miles Sanders. Scott has proven his mettle, but he only has 61 carries and 13 games of experience on his resume. Killins and Warren are undrafted rookies. Elijah Holyfield has yet to register any yards from scrimmage in his young career.
Sanders is clearly the star of this show, but despite the fact that he set rookie franchise records for rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage, Eagles fans learned that he was human as that watched him limp off of the field during the 2019 finale. Philly can’t afford to run him into the ground if they want him to have a long career, but based on the way this backfield is constructed, he should and will get the bulk of the carries.
Philly will need to be wise with how they use him though. If he gets hurt, this Eagles offense might become one dimensional in a hurry.