Philadelphia Eagles to keep five running backs on roster

With the 4 o’clock 53-man roster deadline in the books, the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to hold on to five running backs.

Now, the biggest matchup going into the preseason for the Philadelphia Eagles may very well have been running back. As the weakest position on the team, anyone could come in and make a name for himself. Ideally, the best men would make the roster. Clearly, this principle reigns true in all professions.

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After four weeks of preseason football, we now know the makeup of the running back depth chart. Normally, teams hold on to three or four running backs at the most. However, the Eagles’ situation differs from the norm. Obviously, you have the regulars like LeGarrette Blount and Darren Sproles. They made the team with ease. Then, you have Wendell Smallwood, who didn’t have to do much to earn his spot. He will likely play a key role in the offense this season.

Finally, you have the fringe guys like Donnel Pumphrey, Corey Clement, and Bryon Marshall. These three had to fight the hardest to earn a spot on the team. Essentially, they had to go out there and prove why they deserved to make the 53-man roster. Ultimately, Pumphrey and Clement would make the teaming, leaving Marshall as the odd man out.

Here’s a complete rundown of the roster, courtesy of The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia:

The Logic Behind the Moves

Now, the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Pumphrey in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. At the time, many felt that he would carry the torch of Darren Sproles once his contract expires at the end of the season. Pumphrey’s a very Sprolesian player, at 5-foot-9 with a 4.48 40-yard dash time. So, one can easily draw the parallels on paper.

During the preseason, one could argue that he underachieved for the most part. He only had one good game, so to speak, against the Miami Dolphins in week three. He rushed for 37 yards on 12 carries and caught five passes for 37 yards. Other than that, Pumphrey was pretty much a non-factor throughout. Nevertheless, he made the team because the Eagles traded up to get him.

Next, we have Corey Clement. While sort of an afterthought initially, he burst on the scene this preseason. Over the four games, Clement averaged 3.8 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. Overall, this shows us that Clement is willing to put in the work in order to earn his spot on the team. He did a lot in limited play, only running the ball 28 times.

As a result, the Philadelphia Eagles were put in an interesting predicament. Do you cut the guy you drafted who hasn’t lived up to the potential yet or do you cut the guy who played well enough to earn the spot? Either way, vice president Howie Roseman chose neither option, as he kept both players.

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Ultimately this could hurt other spots on the roster, such as the offensive line or cornerback positions. Regardless, the Eagles will need to find a way to incorporate everyone into the lineup. Can they do it? Maybe. It all depends on how effective Pumphrey can be as a pass threat.