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.
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.
Source: Rotoworld.com