Calling Devonta Freeman? Philadelphia Eagles now listing top tailback Miles Sanders week-to-week
The Philadelphia Eagles released an injury update from training camp on Wednesday and one thing every Eagles fan is exploding about on social media is that top running back Miles Sanders is "week-to-week" with a lower-body injury. It's the first time any injury surrounding Sanders has been mentioned, and it only adds fuel to the fire that the Eagles will soon sign former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman as Sanders insurance.
The NFL Network's Mike Garafolo has reported he doesn't think there's "any great concern" about Sanders "but he'll miss some time as the team is making sure players stay as healthy as possible." John Clark of NBC Philadelphia is reporting it's "not too serious at all" and that Sanders should be good for the season opener at Washington. Still, it could be the impetus to go get Freeman and get him some camp reps.
Sanders is currently listed at +2500 on the William Hill moneyline odds to lead the NFL in rushing this season and +3000 to lead in rushing touchdowns, but those props only would be active for Sanders if he plays all 16 regular-season games (if any teams even play 16 games during a pandemic).
Philadelphia selected Sanders at No. 53 overall out of Penn State in the 2019 draft, and Sanders had to wait a while to become the featured back in Philly behind Jordan Howard. That happened in the second half of the season when Sanders saw 72 percent of the team's snaps and averaged 18.4 touches. He would finish leading all NFL rookies in all-purpose yards (1,641) and scrimmage yards (1,327), and producing the most rushing yards (818) in team history.
Freeman continues to languish on the free-agent market after turning down a reported $4 million on a one-year deal with Seattle in June and having his then-agent terminate their relationship. Drew Rosenhaus is Freeman's new agent and had said he was on a "mission" to get Freeman signed by the time NFL camps started. So much for that.
Rosenhaus has a very good relationship with Philly GM Howie Roseman, the team is on record wanting additional running back depth, and the Eagles have more than $24 million in salary-cap space available -- so that's not an issue, although the club wants to carry over as much as possible to 2021.
With all due respect to 2018 sixth-round pick Boston Scott, Freeman would a better No. 2 to Sanders. With LeSean McCoy (Bucs) and Lamar Miller (Patriots) recently finding homes in free agency, Freeman is clearly the top tailback available. The Eagles were also linked to bringing McCoy back.
Freeman claims he doesn't need to go to the highest bidder but that he simply "wants to win so bad." He could get that chance in Philadelphia, which is +150 second-favorite to repeat as NFC East champion and -220 to make the playoffs again.
Via SportsLine NFL oddsmakers: Which team will sign Devonta Freeman?
- Eagles -150
- Jaguars +400
- Panthers +500
- Chiefs +600
- Bears +750
- Titans +900
- Giants +1000
- Other +1200
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