By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor
On Wednesday, Darren Sproles felt some discomfort.
An MRI revealed he had suffered yet another injury and would likely be heading to injured reserve and the end of his career.
To cope with that, the Eagles brought in free agent running back Jay Ajayi for a workout Friday.
The workout must have gone pretty well as the Eagles are looking to sign a deal with the running back shortly after his visit, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports.
The #Eagles intend to sign FA RB Jay Ajayi, source said. He worked out this morning and they are deep in talks. The top veteran still available, he’s healthy after an ACL tear and returns to the team that traded for him in 2017. Helps make up for the loss of Darren Sproles.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2019
It would not be a surprise to see the Eagles sign Ajayi to a deal that gives them an option to keep him in 2020, giving the team an extra running back under control and a potential back-up to if the Eagles are unable to extend Jordan Howard.
Ajayi, in his career with the Eagles, has averaged 5.1 yards per rush and 7.4 yards per reception in the regular season.
He was also a key player on the team when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII, scoring both touchdowns in the divisional round against the Falcons so that the team could advance further into the playoffs.
The London native had been out of the league since his injury in the early stages of the 2018 season, but has since contacted teams to say that he is fully healthy and ready to play.
Ajayi originally joined the Eagles in the middle of the 2017 season after Philadelphia traded Miami a fourth-round pick for his services.
Ajayi now figures to be the third back on the depth chart. It will not take much for him to top the production they had been getting from that position as Sproles had gone for just 90 yards from scrimmage this season.
UPDATE: Ian Rapoport now reports the deal is done, however an official announcement from the team has not been made.
Now officially agreed to and signed. https://t.co/Q6Qlpe9p2F
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2019