Darren Sproles left the Eagles’ Week 3 win over the Giants on Sunday with what could be a season-defining injury. The veteran running back is believed to have suffered a broken arm, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Although an MRI is scheduled for Monday, Rapoport notes Sproles is out indefinitely. This is potentially the 34-year-old running back’s final season. He indicated as such late last year but backtracked on confirming it ahead of this season, so a lengthy absence could play a big impact on his decision.
This is the final year of Sproles’ contract. The Eagles have Wendell Smallwood and signed LeGarrette Blount as a free agent. UDFA Corey Clement also saw action today. But Sproles returned as a key performer for the team, and he could well be an IR candidate after this injury. Sproles would join rookie Donnel Pumphrey on IR if the Eagles take that course of action.
The Eagles ran for 193 yards as a team today, with Smallwood contributing 71 yards and Blount 67. But Sproles has primarily served as a receiver out of various backfields in his career, maintaining quality form and a key role despite being in his 13th season.
The former Chargers and Saints weapon is in his fourth season with the Eagles, the past three being Pro Bowl campaigns for his return work. Sproles led all Eagles players with 865 yards from scrimmage last season. He’s returned a punt for a touchdown in each of his three Philadelphia campaigns. Philly parted ways with Ryan Mathews and Kenjon Barner from its 2016 backfield, so a Sproles absence will signal a changing of the guard.