Ryan Mathews

Ryan Mathews and LeGarrette Blount to split Eagles' early-down work

The Philadelphia Eagles expect running backs LeGarrette Blount and Ryan Mathews to split early-down work for the Eagles this season, Darren Sproles said to ESPN's Josina Anderson.

What It Means:

Sproles sees himself as the primary back on third downs with Donnel Pumphrey working out of the slot and Wendell Smallwood occupying an "all-purpose" role. The Eagles are widely expected to release Mathews, who missed the team's offseason program while recovering from neck surgery. Maybe Sproles knows something we don't, but Mathews still seems like a major long shot to make the 53-man roster.

Blount's 0.00 Rushing Net Expected Points (NEP) per attempt was 18th among the 42 running backs to top 100 carries last season. As a team, the Eagles finished 12th in schedule-adjusted Offensive Rushing NEP per play.