Teammates hoping Howard’s latest revival is long-term
PHILADELPHIA » No player has worked harder to resurrect his playing career than veteran Eagles running back Jordan Howard, who worked his way onto the 53-man roster from the practice squad.
Howard, 27, got the nod Wednesday. The promotion was richly deserved, the veteran of six seasons rushing for 129 yards and three touchdowns the last two games for the Eagles.
While Howard, unfortunately, wasn’t made available by the Eagles for comment for a feel-good story Wednesday, the remarks of his teammates said it all. From fifth-round draft pick and 1,000-yard rusher in his first two seasons with the Bears to obscurity, as he was cut by the Dolphins and the Eagles, Howard took a licking but kept on ticking.
“He’s a beast,” offensive tackle Lane Johnson said. “He runs hard. He’s always falling forward. He has a lot of power when he runs. Great pass protector. Doesn’t say a whole lot. He moves in silence. But he’s just a great back. He’s always energetic and the way he practices has always been the same – high effort, high motor. When he gets his chance to do something, he makes the most of his opportunities.”
Left tackle Jordan Mailata says Howard constantly gives him the headsup that he’s going to run behind him.
“I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll do whatever I can to give you that hole,’” Mailata said. “That’s why, I think, when he scored that touchdown, I was so pumped, just because we talked about this all the time, walk-throughs and all the plays. Jordan is just a very straight runner, tough runner. The guy is ridiculous with the way he runs.”
It was ridiculous that the Eagles couldn’t find room for Howard after he stuck the landing in training camp. Surprisingly the Baltimore Ravens didn’t pick him up when they struggled with injuries at running back.
Howard earned a place at the level with his relentless work ethic. Somebody was watching.
“Even in training camp, you saw him doing well,” Johnson said. “You saw him in the preseason, the pass blocking and just wiping dudes off the map. Jordan Howard’s been a great player for a long time.”
The Eagles are well fortified at running back even without the services of Miles Sanders (ankle/foot), who is on injured reserve. Boston Scott and rookie Kenneth Gainwell have three rushing TDs apiece.
Add Jalen Hurts’ five rushing scores and the Eagles are fourth in the league with 14 rushing TDs, behind only the Browns (16), Titans (15) and Cardinals (15).
With 37 rushing plays of 10 or more yards, the Eagles trail only the Browns, who have 46.
“He’s done his job when he’s been in there,” head coach Nick Sirianni said of Howard. “He’s hit the holes nice and downhill. And he’s a big man. And to have to tackle him – what did he have, 19, 17 carries? To have to tackle him 17 times in a game, that will wear a defense down. He’s just given us a good spark there in the run game and the way that he runs hard and he’s just being himself.”
When Sanders returns, the Eagles have another roster decision to make. And it won’t be easy.
••• Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat is in concussion protocol, according to Sirianni.
Cornerbacks Darius Slay (hamstring) and Avonte Maddox (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday and are day to day as the Eagles prepare to play the Broncos in Denver.
“We’ll see,” Slay replied when asked if he’d be ready to play Sunday. “I’ll be pushing it, though. We’ll see how it goes this week. I’m looking forward to it, though. I feel good.”
Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (shoulder) and safety Rodney McLeod (neck) sat out practice Wednesday.
Wide receivers J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (ankle) and DeVonta Smith (elbow) were limited at practice.
••• More and more of Malaita’s personality is showing up as he gains confidence in his play and his teammates.
So, it was Wednesday when Mailata was asked about playing alongside rookie second-round pick Landon Dickerson.
“We’re big boppers,” Mailata said. “He’s strong as hell. He’s such a funny character. Our bromance is blooming. Get it? Blooming. I’m sorry. I thought that was funny.”
The blooming is a reference to Sirianni’s talk in which he told the players they were growing steadily like a plant that needs watering and fertilizing.
It’s not a coincidence that when the Eagles need yards they run to the left. Mailata is listed at 6-8, 365 pounds, Dickerson at 6-6, 333 pounds.
••• Sirianni revealed that quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson has spent the past two games on the field, where he can get together with Hurts much more easily than conferencing from the press box.
That gives Sirianni more time to spend with offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Hurts likes the interaction.
“I think it’s just been good, first off, to get him on the field,” Hurts said. “It’s a little different when you’re on the field than up top in terms of seeing the game. So, it’s been good to have him out there, talking to him, communicating with him, considering he’s in the room and I spend a lot of time with him. To have him on the field is good for me.”
•••
The Broncos on Wednesday activated tight end Noah Fant from the reserve/COVID-19 list and were awarded cornerback Mac McCain III off waivers from the Eagles.
The Broncos also signed cornerback Duke Dawson Jr. to its practice squad.