Sanders being activated from IR – What does it mean for Eagles?
The Philadelphia Eagles are having a busy weekend after signing Dallas Goedert and Avonte Maddox to contract extensions, the team is activating Running Back Miles Sanders from the Injured/Reserve list in time to play in Sunday's Game versus the New Orleans Saints:
Before going down with an Ankle Injury, Sanders was averaging 4.8 Rushing Yards per Attempt and had compiled 418 Total Yards over the first seven games of the season. In his absence, the Eagles Offense has found their identity averaging 209.3 Rushing Yards per game and an impressive 32.6 Points Per Game.
During the Eagles win over the Detroit Lions when they had 236 Rushing Yards and scored a season-high 44 Points, Sanders was excited about what he saw:
While we do not know for sure how much playing time Miles Sanders will get in his return, Eagles fans remember that last year when Philadelphia beat the Saints that Sanders had 115 Rushing Yards and Two Touchdowns:
Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni has finally found some offensive rhythm with the Running game and we have seen Quarterback Jalen Hurts thrive the last three weeks, so I would have to assume that Sanders will become the lead Running Back in the Eagles Rushing Attack. This means a diminished role for Boston Scott and fewer touches for Jordan Howard while I would not be surprised if Kenneth Gainwell is Inactive on gameday unless they plan to use him on Special Teams. Howard is averaging 13.7 Rushing Attempts per game while Scott has averaged 11 Rushes per game in the last three games, so if Sanders is to get double-digit Rush Attempts moving forward, it's safe to say that means a reduction of 5 touches each for the other Running Backs.
All eyes will be on Nick Sirianni and his offensive coaching staff on Sunday to see exactly what they plan to do with the offense that sees the return of their most talented Running Back. Sirianni has overseen an offense that has found their identity and their winning has put themselves in a position to contend for the Seventh seed in the NFL Playoffs; A win over the Saints would put them in the driver's seat with an easy schedule moving forward. Remember: the last time the Eagles won a home game was last season in Jalen Hurts first start against....the New Orleans Saints!