Another setback to Sproles leaves some holes
Eagles need return man, adjustment at RB after veteran tweaks hamstring again.
PHILADELPHIA — So sure were the Philadelphia Eagles that 35-year-old running back Darren Sproles was ready to return from a long injury layoff that they cut wide receiver and dependable returner DeAndre Carter on Tuesday.
Now, following a distressing development on Wednesday, their strategy appears to have backfired.
With Carter no longer available after having been claimed on waivers by the Houston Texans, Sproles suffered a setback with his season-long hamstring strain, according to the team. He was not on the field for the start of Thursday afternoon's practice.
ESPN's Adam Schefter originally reported the news Thursday morning, saying Sproles is likely to miss Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
For Sproles, who spent most of last season on the injured reserve list, this could spell the end of his career. He had originally postponed his planned retirement after last season by a year so he could have a chance to come back and contribute to the Eagles' quest for a second straight Super Bowl title.
Now it's possible he could be headed back to injured reserve without the possibility of being designated for return.
In the meantime, the Eagles have other immediate concerns, like who will be their top returner, which Carter had emerged to be.
Carter averaged 10.3 yards on 10 punt returns and 20.4 yards on 10 kickoff returns.
Running backs Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement
EAGLES vs. COWBOYS
have kickoff return experience. In fact, Smallwood took one back all the way for a touchdown in his rookie season in 2016. Clement has done both this season but without the same kind of explosiveness as Carter.
Wide receiver Golden Tate, acquired last week at the trade deadline, also has experience, as does wide receiver Nelson Agholor.
The likely loss of Sproles also affects the running back rotation and could mean more time for rookie Josh Adams, who broke out with 61 rushing yards on just nine attempts in the Eagles’ last game, a 24-18 win over Jacksonville in London.
Adams remains humbled by that experience and on Thursday would not speculate on what it means for his immediate future, particularly if Sproles is forced to miss more games.
“All of us have got to be ready, got to be prepared,” he said. “They do a great job of just preparing everybody because you just never know who will be put in what position. So it’s always better to be overprepared than not knowing what will happen.
“It just so happens that that’s the way the [Jacksonville] game went. I was just trying to take advantage of it.” [as a kickoff returner] but I have no idea what their plans are.”
Tate not only didn’t seem willing to talk, but also didn’t seem willing to volunteer for any of those chores.
“I’m not sure, I haven’t heard, I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t even know if we’re allowed to talk about the game plan.”
Tate did acknowledge his experience.
“Yeah, when I was young,” he said.
Asked if he likes it, he said: “I don’t mind it. Whatever is going to help the team win.”
Clement (illness) was not available after practice. Neither was Agholor. the league,” the right guard said, responding to a report by Pro Football Focus that identifies him as having the longest current streak in the NFL of snaps without allowing a sack.
According to their research, after allowing a sack in his first game as an Eagle in 2016, he hasn’t allowed any since. That’s a streak of 1,617 pass attempts. The next highest is Marshal Yanda of Baltimore, with 1,462.
Brooks has stated a number of times that he felt 2017 was his finest year as a pro.
Thursday, he said that has continued into this season.
“I feel like it’s the same as it was last year,” Brooks said. “I’m having fun, I’m going out there playing.” on Thursday when asked what Tate brings to the table.
“Hey, he’s going to be our secret weapon,” he said. “I’ll tell you that.”