Sanders playing with chip on his shoulder as top back
PHILADELPHIA >> Running back Miles Sanders operated in the considerable shadow of Heisman Trophy candidate Saquon Barkley at Penn State.
With the Eagles, Sanders’ run skills have been overshadowed by quarterback Jalen Hurts, the MVP candidate who spins out splash plays each time he exits the pocket.
This week Sanders is being upstaged by Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, the annual MVP candidate who the Eagles oppose Sunday.
There’s always someone standing between Sanders and celebrity status, as illustrated by the pecking order of those superstars.
Don’t think for a moment Sanders hasn’t noticed. The King Henry slight is extra motivation, for Sanders ranks fourth in the NFL with 900 rushing yards, just a big game from Henry (second, 1,048 yards) and about the same distance from his first 1,000-yard season in four pro seasons.
“Always, absolutely,” Sanders said. “Not just for me but for the offensive line, too. And that Dline that has to go against him. It’s more motivation for them than me.”
NFL Rushing Leaders
1. Josh Jacobs, Raiders, 1,159
2. Derrick Henry, Titans, 1,048 3. Nick Chubb, Browns, 1,039 4. Saquon Barkley, Giants, 992 5. Miles Sanders, Eagles, 900
Sanders is going to keep the football when he hits the century mark this weekend, or in a worstcase scenario the following week. It’s the ultimate accomplishment for a running back in a contract year to top the old resume with.
“It’s a long time coming,” Sanders said. “It’s my fourth year in the league and my first time getting 1,000. It will mean a lot. Just got to get there first. I know I’m only 100 yards away, but we’ve got to get there first. (The Titans have) a good defensive front. Really good. You just got to do what you can to attack them and play our way, and don’t let them dictate what we do.”
Sanders is the fourth Eagle in the first 11 games of a season to secure 900 or more rushing yards and eight-plus rushing touchdowns. That star-studded list includes LeSean McCoy (2011), Ricky Watters (1996) and Stee Van Buren (1949).
Sanders tries not to compare himself to Henry, Barkley or other running backs because “I do believe that I’m the best.
“But I don’t sit there and worry about anybody else at this point,” he said. “I got a lot of respect for
Derrick. I love what he’s doing. He’s a Hall of Famer already. So, I got a lot of respect for him. How he balls out.”
Talk, obviously, is cheap. To be the best, Sanders has to beat one of the league’s best this weekend. Only then will people know who Miles Sanders is.
“Hope so,” Sanders said. “I just hope we get the Dub, though.”
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Rookie defensive tackle Jordan Davis likely will be penciled into the lineup Sunday when the Eagles oppose the Titans.
Davis sat out the last four games with a sprained ankle.
“He’s had a good week so far,” Sirianni said. “Obviously we don’t have to make a decision yet. But he’s looking good. He’s looking good and we’re hopeful.”
Elsewhere on the injury front, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (lacerated kidney) remained out of practice and still could wind up on injured reserve, which would shelve him four games. GardnerJohnson still leads the NFL with six interceptions.
“We are getting more information back today,” Sirianni said. “I talked to him last night. He’s in fine spirits. Obviously, he’s upset. But obviously anybody in this scenario is going to be upset that they are potentially not going to be able to play for a couple weeks
or this and that. But you know what? He was still himself on the phone. He was still Chauncey, right? He was still bringing energy to the conversation, making me laugh. And I really appreciate him being on this football team because obviously he makes a lot of plays.” •••
NOTES >> Eagles edge Haason Reddick is tied for fifth in the league with 8.0 sacks. With 7.0 sacks, Javon Hargrave ranks third among defensive tackles. With 36 sacks, the Eagles trail only the Cowboys (45) and the Patriots (37) … The Eagles lead the league with a plus-13 turnover margin, including
23 takeaways, tops on the circuit. The Titans are plus-2 with 13 takeaways and 11 giveaways, the latter one more than the Eagles … Eagles wide receivers have fumbled four times since Week 9, tops in the NFL. A.J. Brown has two of those … Brown has 7 TD receptions this season, tied for third among wide Receivers. The Titans have allowed 14 TDs to WRs this season, third-most in the league … Titans wide receivers have gained 505 yards on 35 receptions (14.4 ypc.) since Week 9, fourthmost in the leagues. The Eagles have allowed 14.8 yards per catch since Week 9, fourth-most on the circuit.