Eagles
Report: Eagles RB Darren Sproles suffers broken arm against Giants
Published24 Sep 2017
By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Eagles came into Sunday's game against the Giants with a depleted defense. They lost Fletcher Cox and Jordan Hicks in the second quarter, but perhaps the biggest loss came on offense. Veteran running back Darren Sproles got tackled during a run play and looked to have sustained a lower body injury, but it turns out that it was a wrist injury. The news isn't good as a report has surfaced that is pointing towards a broken arm for the 34-year-old.
#Eagles RB Darren Sproles is believed to have suffered a broken arm, sources say. MRI Monday to learn additional details. Out indefinitely
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2017
Kind of a freak injury for Darren Sproles today. It looked like his right wrist got kicked by Darian Thompson. pic.twitter.com/pVucZjEkco
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroCSN) September 25, 2017
Sproles would be the second running back to be put on the IR when/if the MRI confirms the injury, joining rookie Donnel Pumphrey. Sproles is ranks 8th all-time in all-purpose yards in the NFL with 19,144. In just over four seasons with the Eagles, Sproles has rushed 246 times for 1,134 yards and 11 touchdowns while also hauling in 154 catches for 1,275 yards and three touchdowns. Sproles has also served as the Eagles' primary punt returner since joining the team for the 2014-15 season. He gained 1,186 yards on returns and scored four touchdowns.
This injury puts Sproles' career in jeopardy as the 34-year-old back talked about plans to retire after the 2017-18 season back in December.
"I feel like [after 2017] it will be time," Sproles said.
"[My family] wanted me to [retire] this year. I was like, 'Nah, I can't. I can't.' The thing is, when you're chasing that ring, you really want to get that ring."
While the loss of Sproles will be big in the running, receiving and return games, the Eagles got strong performances from their other trio of backs on Sunday. LeGarrette Blount had his best game with the Eagles, gaining 67 yards on 12 carries (5.6 ypc) and scoring a touchdown. Wendell Smallwood led all running backs with 71 yards on 12 carries (5.9 ypc). Rookie Corey Clement and quarterback Carson Wentz each had six carries for 22 yards. Clement scored his first NFL touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 21-21.
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how Doug Pederson rotates the back with Sproles out of the equation. Torrey Smith returned punts after Sproles went down. With the way Blount, Smallwood and Clement played though, expect each to get an uptick in carries when the Eagles head out west to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on October 1 at 4:05 p.m.
