Eagles agree to contract with RB Kenjon Barner

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Eagles were forced to find a replacement for Darren Sproles after he tore his ACL and broke his arm on the same play against the New York Giants, and to do so they reacquainted with a familiar face after they agreed to a one-year contract with running back Kenjon Barner following a workout today at the NovaCare Complex.

Barner was one of many Oregon alumni to come to the Eagles in the Chip Kelly era, but unlike most of those experiments Barner was able to carve out a regular role as a return specialist. 

As a returner in the NFL, Barner has averaged 25.3 yards as a kick returner and 6.3 yards per punt return. As a rusher he has averaged 4.3 yards per carry for his career. Last season with the Eagles Barner had 27 rushes for 129 yards and two touchdowns with five catches for 42 yards. 

It is expected that Barner will fill in for Sproles in the return game, while Wendell Smallwood is expected to become the third down running back going forward. 

The Barner move makes sense, not only for his prior experience with the team and coaching staff, but he also follows a recent trend that the Eagles have shown this season. 

Following preseason the Eagles added quarterback Nate Sudfeld to the practice squad from the Washington Redskins – who they were set to play one week later. Prior to their week two matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs the Eagles added cornerback and ex-chief DeVante Bausby to the practice squad. Barner began the season with the Los Angeles Chargers before being cut. The Eagles opponent this week happens to be those same Chargers, creating a trend with the Eagles previous roster moves. 

The Eagles announced the signing on their Twitter account:

Roster Move: #Eagles have signed RB Kenjon Barner to a one-year contract. #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/gcG5g4pxng

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 26, 2017