Sproles out for season with torn ACL, broken forearm
Darren Sproles lost for the season after suffering ACL tear, broken arm Sunday against the Giants
PHILADELPHIA » Doug Pederson called it a “double whammy.”
For Eagles running back Darren Sproles, in the last year of his contract, it could be a triplewhammy.
The 34-year-old veteran sustained a career-threatening torn ACL and a broken arm in the 2724 win over the Giants Sunday.
The Eagles placed Sproles on injured reserve and add another running back to the committee now populated by LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement.
“It’s unfortunate,” Pederson said Monday. “He’s a great man. He’s a great leader. He’s got a lot of energy and that’s hard to replace. It’s unfortunate and sometimes it happens to great people and great men.”
Sproles clutched his left knee while planting and cutting up field on a sweep early in the second quarter against the Giants.
While Sproles was hit by safety Darian Thompson, it appeared the vet’s right wrist was caught underneath when he braced his fall.
Smallwood led the Eagles with 71 yards on 12 carries Sunday. Blount added 12 runs for 67 yards and a one-yard TD run. Undrafted rookie Clement, from Glassboro, N.J., ran for 22 yards, including a 15-yard score.
“I think with saw with Wendell and some things with Corey it’s going to have to be that next man up mentality,” Pederson said. “But I think Wendell on third down, specifically, and Corey as well, are going to have to step up and assume that role.”
Wide receiver Torrey Smith is the next guy up on punt returns per Pederson, who called the loss of Sproles “devastating” to the return game. Smith returned one punt for nine yards Sunday.
“Well, he has done it in practice and his past and he’s definitely a sure-handed guy back there,” Pederson said of Smith. “He’s, right now, the next guy up. We’ll look at everything in the next couple of hours, or day or so.”
Elsewhere on the injury report, Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks (ankle) and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (calf) are day-to-day per Pederson. While it’s unclear how much they’ll practice this week, it’s less clear how they’ll feel after making the cross country trek to Los Angeles for their game Sunday with the Chargers. Those injuries are susceptible to swelling. Long flights in pressurized cabins aren’t exactly a perfect marriage.
The left guard position still is in a state of flux, according to Pederson. In spite of Stefen Wisniewski’s stellar performance, he’s not the de facto starter. Chance Warmack and Isaac Seumalo are considerations.
“Chance had a couple of opportunities, missed opportunities early in the game but bounced back and in the run game was effective,” Pederson said. “And at the same time Wiz getting an opportunity, listen, Wiz is that veteran player you can just, you know when you put him in that he’s going to execute and do some nice things for you. It’s something we’ll evaluate this week again going forward at that position and by Sunday, we’ll have the best five out there.”
Seumalo was ineffective starting the first two games. Quarterback Carson Wentz was sacked eight times.
Pederson said it’s possible the Eagles could rotate left guards the rest of the season.
“All these guys, as I mentioned last week, are getting reps,” Pederson said referencing practices. “They’re preparing as starters. It’s no different if an offensive lineman, a tackle goes down and (Hal Vaitai) has to go in a game. These guys are all prepared the same. You shouldn’t miss a beat one way or the other just by rotating at that position.”
The Eagles ran for 193 yards against the Giants, who played much of the game in their nickel defensive package. In essence the Eagles put big bodies on little bodies.
Pederson thinks the left guard by committee approach can work because of the manner in which offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland trains the guys.
“The way Stout prepares these guys, it’s seamless, it’s flawless and that’s the way it should be,” Pederson said. “As backup role players, you’re expected to know what a starter knows - the same as a backup quarterback. You should be expected to do the same thing. It’s a seamless transition.”