Philadelphia Eagles: What’s happened to Josh Adams’ carries?

After rushing for 30 yards on six carries in Week 3, Josh Adams has only recorded one rush for the Philadelphia Eagles over the next three weeks. But why?

The Philadelphia Eagles running back carousel officially continued into Week 6, with Corey Clement taking his turn as the team’s lead back (more on that here).

But lost in the shuffle of the team’s newfound offensive potency, at least against a certified dumpster fire like the New York Giants, is the diminished role of rookie rusher Josh Adams.

Seriously, did you know he’s even still on the team?

While many fans initially objected to Howie Roseman‘s decision to leave the former-Notre Dame rusher off of the team’s initial 53 man roster, this decision was promptly amended going into Week 3, as the team’s next man up philosophy took effect after subsequent injuries to Clement, Jay Ajayi, and Darren Sproles over the first two weeks of the season.

And it’s pretty safe to say Adams ran with his opportunity.

Making his debut in the Eagles Week 3 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, Adams flashed some serious potential in limited action, recording 30 yards rushing on only six carries for a very impressive five yards per carry average.

Now granted, it’s not like Adams lead the team in rushing that week, as both Wendell Smallwood and Clement finished out the game with more touches and yards, coincidentally finishing out the game with an identical 56 yards, but the Warrington Township native served as a seriously effective change of pace back on short yardage plays.

And since then? Nothing.

Well, actually, Adams did record a single carry in Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings, but it went for -1 yard and was inconspicuously a short yardage outside run on a crucial 3-and-1.

I don’t attempt to portray myself as some sort of playcalling wunderkind, but even I have to question why anyone would design a play where a player with Adams measurables would attempt an outside zone run on a short yardage play. Smallwood maybe, but Adams? Inconceivable.

Standing 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Adams has a very unconventional upright running style that looks admittedly goofy on tape but certainly is effective between the tackles, especially when running behind a formidable offensive line.

But why hasn’t number 33 had his name called besides that one rogue outside run?

Your guess is as good as mine.

While I doubt even the most passionate Fighting Irish fan truly believes that Adams should leapfrog both Clement and Smallwood to be the Eagles’ next great lead back, but he most certainly does have NFL talent, and should get at least a few touches a game in short yardage/goal line situations. Even if his skill set is a bit limited, after losing LeGarrette Blount to the Detroit Lions earlier this year, the team could certainly use a bowling ball between the tackles, capable of picking up three hard-fought yards in a cloud of smoke.

That’s Adam’s playing style to a T.

Who knows, maybe with a few extra days to prepare for the team’s Week 7 bout against the Carolina Panthers Doug Pederson will finally have a chance to install a few more plays for Josh Adams to help pad out the team’s rushing attack over the back half of the 2018 NFL season.