Eagles running back Darren Sproles left Sunday’s game in the first quarter with what was believed to be a wrist injury, but it appears to be much more serious.

Sproles took a shot and appeared to be grabbing his knee, after being tackled by Giants safety Darian Thompson,  the report was initially a wrist injury that kept him from returning to the game.


"He's a great man, he's a great leader," Pederson said.  "That's hard to replace, guys are going to have to rally and pick up that spot.  Sometimes injuries happen to great people."

Sproles carried the ball more times than ever before last season, with 94 carries.  He also added 52 catches last season.  This year, he was a big part of the Eagles offense in the early going, carrying the ball 15 times for 61 yards adding seven catches for 73 yards.

Without Sproles, the Eagles will most likely lean on Wendell Smallwood more in the passing game and you will see more of rookie Corey Clement will likely see more snaps in the coming weeks.

Smallwood paced the Eagles’ rushing attack with 71 yards on 12 attempts, veteran LeGarrette Blount finished with a season-high 67 yards on 12 carries and Clement added six carries for 22 yards including his first career rushing TD (15 yards).

The biggest loss could be as a punt returner, where Torrey Smith took over in Sproles' absence and had one return for nine yards. Sproles is regarded as one of the top return men in the game, making him  a very dangerous weapon that the Eagles will be without for a undetermined amount of time.

The Eagles have been hit hard by the injury bug, but this is the biggest loss on the offensive side of the ball, most of their injuries have occurred on the defensive side of the ball.


 

More From 97.3 ESPN