The Philadelphia Eagles' offense has been ravaged by injuries this season, and one of the positions that has been hit the hardest is running back.
Top back Jordan Howard, whom the Eagles acquired via trade with the Chicago Bears during the offseason, missed his fifth straight game on Sunday due to a shoulder injury, leaving rookie halfback Miles Sanders to carry the load.
And Sanders did just that, carrying the ball 19 times for 122 yards and a touchdown while catching six passes for 50 yards and a score in a pivotal 37-27 win over the Washington Redskins.
Afterward, Sanders said he relishes that responsibility.
“I’m going to go out there and do my job regardless, but when you have guys banged up like that and the type of season I’m having? Lock in and put the game on my shoulders and let’s go ball out,” said Sanders, according to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Week 15 was, by far, Sanders' most impressive performance of the season, but he has had a very strong rookie campaign overall, as he has rushed for 687 yards and a couple of touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. In addition, he has logged 42 catches for 433 yards while reaching the end zone three times.
Of course, the Eagles will need top-level production from more players than just Sanders over the final couple of weeks of the season, as Philadelphia is also without its top two wide receivers in DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery.
Philly is 7-7 on the year and will battle the Dallas Cowboys for NFC East supremacy next Sunday.
Follow Us
Subscribe