The Philadelphia Eagles are off to a rough start to the 2018 season, dropping three out of their first five games including the last two contests. The Eagles took another hit with the loss of starting running back Jay Ajayi for the season due to a torn ACL that occurred in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Eagles’ RB Jay Ajayi tore his ACL and is out for the season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2018
The injury occurred during pass-protection late in the game. Ajayi struggled in the contest, rushing for just 29 yards while committing a fumble inside the five-yard line in the fourth quarter. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is reporting that he will have surgery to repair the injury on Thursday.
Ajayi has struggled to get any footing in the early going of the season, recording just 184 rushing yards on 45 attempts with three touchdowns. He has recored 70 or fewer rushing yards in each contest while failing to crack 30 yards twice over that span.
This injury adds to what has already been a battered backfield, as both Corey Clement and Darren Sproles are out of the lineup on the mend. Ajayi had been the head of the snake out of the backfield for the Eagles, which may now shift to Wendell Smallwood.
It could also re-open trade talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been listening to offers for star running back Le'Veon Bell, who is still holding out from the team. The Eagles have been one of the most active teams in trying to acquire the 26-year-old prior to the trade deadline this season.
Given Philadelphia's rough start to the season, they could look to add more depth or firepower to the position in the coming days ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the New York Giants.
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