There will be no chances taken by the Philadelphia Eagles this season when it comes to the running back position. In spite of acquiring Jordan Howard from the Chicago Bears in March, they still added Darren Sproles to their running back depth chart with a one-year contract.
Sproles was a free agent this offseason and spent most of the last two years injured.
“My heart is in Philly. That’s where I want to end my career,” Sproles said in a statement released by the Eagles. “That team, the city is like a family.”
Eagles have agreed to terms with Darren Sproles one a one-year contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 19, 2019
Sproles has been with the Eagles since 2014 after a productive three seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He’s been one of the NFL’s best pass-catching and third down backs since he entered the league in 2005 as a fourth round pick of the San Diego Chargers.
In the six games in which he did play in 2018, the running back rushed 29 times for 120 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He caught 15 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
A dangerous runner and receiver, Sproles’ best season was in 2011 with the Saints when he rushed for 603 yards with two TDs and added 710 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
"My heart is in Philly. That's where I want to end my career. That team, the city is like a family." – @DarrenSproles#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/A1uEKBxQ0B
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 19, 2019
Sproles should be an excellent compliment to Howard, who has been, at least to this point, a two down back in the NFL. Head coach Doug Pederson will be smart to try to expand Howard’s skillset, but if he can’t, Sproles will provide a potential game-breaking option on third down or passing downs.
Sproles joins Howard and second round pick Miles Sanders, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, Donnel Pumphrey, Josh Adams and Boston Scott on the Eagles depth chart. Adams led the Eagles in rushing last season with 120 carries for 511 yards, three touchdowns and 4.3 yards per carry. Smallwood had six starts, rushing 87 times ofr 364 yards, three touchdowns and an average of 4.2 yards per carry.
