Eagles contingency plans if Boston Scott misses Week 4’s game
Kickoff of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Week 4 contest versus the Jacksonville Jaguars nears, and has been the case for the majority of the 2022-2023 NFL campaign, the Birds are enjoying good fortune from an injury standpoint… for the most part. Boston Scott‘s rib injury continues to be an area of concern though.
Scott was absent from Philly’s practice sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday as he continues to recover. He’s been present for all three of the Eagles’ games played during the current regular season. In total, he’s seen 36 offensive snaps, roughly 16 percent of the team’s total. He’s carried the ball ten times for 29 yards, scoring a touchdown in the process.
He’s the second-best tailback on the Eagles’ roster behind Miles Sanders who, so far, has been pretty sturdy (knock on wood), but if, by chance, Boston is unable to go come Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, the Birds should still be in pretty good shape on offense overall.
Here are the contingency plans if Boston Scott misses Week 4’s Eagles game.
Currently, the Eagles have four running backs on their roster and another on the practice squad. Signing another wouldn’t be necessary. Here’s a look at each one ahead of game day, and the best plan for each.
Miles Sanders
As has been the case all season, Miles Sanders is the top tailback on the Eagles’ depth chart, and that won’t change unless he sustains an injury of his own. So far this season, he’s been on the field for 120 snaps, 55 percent of the overall total. He’s carried the ball 45 times for 222 yards and a touchdown. He’ll get the bulk of the carries in Week 4 as well.
Kenneth Gainwell
A fifth-round draft selection in 2021, Kenneth Gainwell has provided better production than we normally see from guys taken so late in a selection meeting. That didn’t surprise anyone. We knew that he was a bit of a steal all things considered, but his expected 2022 breakout performance is slightly behind schedule.
That’s okay. It’s a long season. Perhaps, as the Eagles’ second option at tailback (again, if Scott is out), he’ll be up to the task of providing some quality snaps and some big plays.
Trey Sermon
This former Ohio State Buckeye/Oklahoma Sooner has been on the Eagles’ 53-man roster since he was claimed off of waivers on September 1st. He’s been a healthy scratch for each of the first three games, but if Scott is out and Philly wants to carry three tailbacks on game day, the easiest option would be to simply activate him.
Kennedy Brooks
Undrafted rookie Kennedy Brooks was waived on August 30th during final roster cuts and ultimately signed to the practice squad the next day. The Eagles haven’t had the need to elevate him, but if they wind up having one, he provides a decent insurance plan.
Trending. State of the NFC East: Eagles are setting the standard. light
He isn’t quite ready to handle the full load, but he may be able to handle a few snaps if there’s an emergency and the Eagles are in a pinch.
Final thoughts: Boston Scott is as tough as they come. Don’t be shocked if he’s active on Sunday for Week 4’s game, but if not, the easiest and best option would be for Philadelphia to walk into battle with three tailbacks: Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Trey Sermon.