Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles contemplated retirement this offseason, but he decided to give it at least one more season, returning to the Eagles on a one-year contract.
At 36 years old, Sproles is long past the typical lifespan for an NFL running back, even if he doesn't get much playing time in the backfield.
Detroit Lions back Kerryon Johnson admires how long Sproles has been able to do what he does and doesn't see himself following the same track:
“Look. If I was 36, I promise you I will not be on this football field. That’s a long time, especially at his size and the way he plays the game,” Johnson said on Friday, according to Benjamin Raven of MLive.com. “He plays with no fear. He goes out there and runs like he’s 220 pounds. That’s major respect. He’s done this for a long time. You got to watch Sproles play. … To do it at the level for how long he’s done it, it’s nothing short of incredible.”
Johnson's lions will face Sproles' Eagles in their Week 3 matchup this Sunday.
Through two games this season, Johnson has carried the ball 28 times for 90 yards while catching four passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. The 22-year-old broke into the NFL as a second-round pick out of Auburn last year and rushed for 641 yards and three scores while averaging 5.4 yards per carry in 10 contests.
The Lions have gotten off to a 1-0-1 start this season, playing to a tie with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 before upsetting the Los Angeles Chargers by a score of 13-10 last weekend.
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