Sproles Expects to be Back on Monday Night

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The mystery wasn't exactly solved but we are nearing the finish line in the Darren Sproles saga.

The veteran running back/punt returner injured his hamstring during practice after Philadelphia's Week 1 win over Atlanta and hasn't been active since, missing 10 consecutive games.

Sproles attempted to return after the bye week but any hope ended after one practice when he either aggravated or suffered another hamstring injury.

The return take two began this week when Sproles, 35, practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday, an indication he is on track to be in uniform on Monday night against Washington, nearly three months after the initial injury.

"That’s the plan," the diminuative back said when speaking with reporters Friday.

A typical hamstring injury doesn't linger quite this long and Sproles admitted something the Eagles have not: that he was dealing with something more than what was made public although he would not get specific.

"The hamstring I had wasn’t no normal type of hamstring injury," Sproles explained. "It just took some time."

Sproles has already indicated 2018 will be his final professional season. He initially planned to retire after last season but rethought things after tearing his ACL and breaking his forearm during a Week 3 win over the New York Giants. The Eagles brought him back on a one-year deal hoping to get back their dynamic punt returner and proven third-down back for one more run.

It hasn't worked out that way yet but Sproles should get five games to rewrite his own ending.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen