Sanders is expected to miss at least three games
PHILADELPHIA » The Eagles will be without the services of running back Miles Sanders for at least three weeks, the veteran confirming Friday an NFL report that he is slated to go on injured reserve with a tweet of “Philly I love y’all, I’ll be back !!!!! ”
It was a foregone conclusion Sanders would miss time with an ankle injury suffered in the first half of the 33-22 loss last week to the Las Vegas Raiders. Though the Eagles got off to a solid start running the ball with Sanders, they changed course when he exited and rookie running back Kenneth Gainwell put the ball on the ground. Sanders had six rushes for 30 yards. He was hurt losing three yards on a screen pass.
The Eagles registered a seasonhigh 32 rushes, and that number could be exceeded when they take on the winless Detroit Lions Sunday at Ford Field. Only 11 teams allow more rushing yardage than the Lions, who concede 120 yards per game. One of those is the Eagles, who allow 133 yards. Up for conjecture is exactly who the Eagles would elevate from the practice squad.
“We still have some decisions to make there,” coach Nick Sirianni said Friday. “With him being out, it just means that the other guys that we have coming up have to be stepping up and making plays.”
Sirianni mentioned Gainwell and veterans Boston Scott and Jordan Howard as next men up. Howard is on the practice squad. So, too, is Jason Huntley, who also returns kicks. Practice squad players can be called up twice before they have to be added to the 53-man roster.
Howard, 26, is no stranger to Motown, having played the Lions twice annually for three seasons with the Chicago Bears beginning in 2016.Howard has rushed for 942 yards (3.6.ypc.) and 10 touchdowns in 18 games versus the Lions.
“You look back at some of the tape from 2018 and 2019,” Eagles guard Jack Driscoll said. “Some of the runs he had, he runs hard. He’s a great player and we’re excited to have him back there. We know he’s capable of making plays.”
Sirianni said the Eagles have “a lot of confidence in” Howard, who has impressed coaches and teammates with his hard work on the scout team in practices.
Gainwell and Scott aren’t the type of back that can pound it inside regularly. Not like Howard, who averaged 14.5 carries in the above games versus the Lions. With the Eagles still searching for a winning offensive identity, it’s fairly safe to assume that they’ll try to establish the tempo with their big offensive line this week.
“It really just sets the tone,” Driscoll said of the ground game. “If we come out there and say we’re going to run the ball, we’re going to execute. It’s on us. We like the challenge. We’re going to face a good defense on Sunday in Detroit and we have our work cut out. But we know that if we execute and every guy does their assignment then there’s no doubt that we can run the ball. There’s nothing more an offensive line likes to do than run
the ball.”
•••
Sanders and cornerback Zech McPhearson (hamstring) are listed as out against the Lions, who at 0-7 are off to their worst start since they went 0-16 in 2008. Doubtful is safety Anthony Harris (hands,groin), sidelined last week as well.
Receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside (back) is questionable. Everybody else on the roster, including Lane Johnson (ankle), Ryan Kerrigan (groin), DeVonta Smith (headache) and Landon Dickerson (hip) will be available.
•••
NOTES » The Eagles are 3.5-point favorites over the Lions, who have lost 11 straight games and 15 of their last 17 starts. … Decisions loom on activating safety K’Von Wallace and tight end Tyree Jackson, who as of closing time Friday were nine days into the 21day window to either be elevated to the 53-man roster or put on season-ending injured reserve. … If Fletcher Cox fulfills his obligations Sunday he will tie Ken Clark for most games played by an Eagles defensive tackle (148).