3 Reasonable expectations for Philadelphia Eagles RB Jordan Howard

Five to seven carries in each Philadelphia Eagles game is ideal.

Jordan Howard was relatively healthy during his first three NFL seasons as a member of the Chicago Bears. He only missed one regular-season game and held things down as the starter.

Call it a crazy theory, but it looks like the problems for Howard began when Philly brought him to the City of Brotherly Love and tried to turn him into LeGarrette Blount. Game after game, they ran him into the teeth of opposing defenses like some sort of jackhammer, and though he had some nice showings (see his performance in the Eagles’ Week 4 victory over the Green Bay Packers), he got injured in a game versus his former team in Week 9 of the 2019 campaign, and frankly, he’s never been the same guy since.

This is why so many of us were concerned about those statements about the Birds giving Miles Sanders the ‘full load’. While Sanders should be a huge part of the Eagles’ game plan weekly, he shouldn’t be overworked either. There has to be a balance or he’ll have a very short career.

You have to believe that’s why Howard is here. Killins isn’t a workhorse. Scott won’t be either. Howard may not be a 20-carry guy anymore, but if he can give Sanders a break on about ten to 12 plays and chip in with five to seven carries every week, that’s 85 to 119 carries where Sanders isn’t being punished.

That should keep Boobie fresh and healthy. It should also ensure that he’s on the field at the end of the 2020 season.