Eagles fans, rejoice. Darren Sproles is back.
As the 2018 NFL draft concluded, the Eagles announced they have agreed to terms with 34-year-old running back Darren Sproles on a one-year deal.
“It’s been a priority to get Darren back,” vice president of football operations Howie Roseman said. “I think I got the message when Coach would come by my office, maybe once a day, twice a day and say, ‘when are we getting Darren? When are we getting Sproles back?’ I said, ‘I got the message, coach.’ But we all wanted Darren back. We talked after the Super Bowl with Darren that it would be a priority for him to come back. He’s a freak. The things he’s doing in his rehab, it’s amazing.”
At the owners' meetings last month, head coach Doug Pederson admitted he really wanted Sproles back. Now he got his wish.
Apparently, Carson Wentz is pretty happy too.
Roseman said trading back some in the draft opened up some cap room to make the signing possible. But he also said the Eagles’ not drafting a running back was independent of bringing back Sproles.
Last season was cut short for Sproles after he suffered a broken hand and a torn ACL on the same play against the Giants. His 2017 season was over after just three games and he didn’t want his impressive career to end like that.
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He’s been furiously rehabbing ever since. Roseman said the team is optimistic Sproles will be ready for Week 1.
“I’m excited to get him back and I know he is too,” Pederson said. “Just looking forward to getting him back in the building and seeing that smiling face here.”
Sproles is one of the most beloved players in the Eagles’ locker room. In addition to his contributions as a running back and a receiver out of the backfield, his leadership and punt return ability make him special.
In his four years with the Eagles, Sproles has averaged 4.6 yards per carry and has caught 154 passes. He’s still the best receiving back the Eagles have, even with the emergence of Corey Clement. And as a punt returner, Sproles has averaged 12.5 yards per return with the Eagles. That’s by far the best average in the NFL during that span.
“When we sign Darren, everyone in the building is excited,” Roseman said. “The owner is excited, the head coach is excited, the offensive coordinator is excited, the special teams coordinator is excited, the vice president of player personnel is excited. He’s just that kind of guy. ... It’s fun to have Darren Sproles on your football team.”