Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni ends the rumors: ‘He’s our starter’

For the first time in a long time, we’re mentioning one of the Philadelphia Eagles roster groups and talking about depth instead of discussing everything that they’re lacking. Philly’s deficiencies in the running back room have become one of those topics that we toss back and forth every offseason. It’s become an annual tradition, like talking about why this team devalues the linebacker position and why none of the wide receivers taken in the draft ever seem to work out.

Things are different though as 2021’s regular season approaches its 11th week of action. The Birds aren’t just getting production from their tailbacks. Since Week 8, they’ve put the rest of the NFL on notice. This might be the league’s most dangerous rushing offense.

Oh, and that’s not all! The hits just keep on coming as the Birds have activated a 21-day practice window for Miles Sanders, and based on their recent history, that probably means he’ll be back sooner rather than later.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni ends the questions about Philly’s depth chart.

When you hear statements like ‘stay with the hot hand’ and the ‘keep doing what works’, it’s easy to ask questions about whether or not it’s wise to disrupt the recent chemistry that this offense has created and built upon. It’s easy to ask if the Eagles should place Miles Sanders back on the top of the depth chart or give the bulk of the touches at the running back position to Jordan Howard.

For each of us, we’ve gone back and forth about the same questions over and over again.

Don’t you have to feed Howard after everything that we’ve seen? Did you see what Boston Scott did last week? Why would we put him back on the bench? Wait! Is Kenneth Gainwell fourth-string now?

While those have been the topics, we can all agree on something even if we don’t agree on the answers. This is a good problem to have. Say it out loud. The Eagles have some depth!

But, in terms of the pecking order in the running back room, there are no questions, at least not for the coaching staff. On the Wednesday leading up to Week 11’s game versus the New Orleans Saints, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni spoke with members of the Philadelphia media, and he put all of the rumors to bed without supper: “If Miles is healthy and ready to go, he’s our starter”.

Here’s more:

"I think when you have some guys that have been running the ball well, that’s a good problem to have, and it speaks to the depth we have here in the running back room, in particular. So, a great job by Howie [Roseman] and his staff of getting the players in here and having depth because we know it’s a long season. It’s a 17-game season. You’re going to have some bumps and bruises throughout the way, so it’s important that the guys who step in for the starters are ready to go."

Well, that settles that, doesn’t it? Since he’s so open, here’s an idea. Maybe we should ask him about whether or not Jalen Hurts has proven that he deserves a shot to compete for the starting role again in 2022? If you remember, we had some issues with getting him to commit to an answer ahead of this season.

Then again, maybe patience is needed here. Let’s just take this a week at a time and see how this goes.