ORLANDO, Fla. — Darren Sproles wants to return to Philadelphia. And the Eagles want him back in 2018.
All signs point toward a reunion.
“He wants to still play,” head coach Doug Pederson said during an hour-long interview session on Tuesday morning at the NFL owners meetings in Central Florida. “And I want him to play. And I want him to be an Eagle.”
Sproles is a 34-year-old free agent running back returning from a broken arm and a torn ACL, but he doesn’t want his career to end with a trip to IR. The 12-year veteran played in just three games last season before going down, but before the injuries was the Eagles’ primary third-down back and punt returner.
He played last season on a one-year contract extension he signed before the 2016 season. In December, Sproles said he was leaning toward a return (see story) and his posts on social media show a comeback in the works.
“We’ve reached out to [Sproles] during the free agency period and talked to him,” Pederson said. “Listen, guys like that, he’s expressed he wants to be back here. He knows we want him back here.”
During his four years in Philadelphia, Sproles has averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and has caught 154 passes. Since coming to Philly, he’s also had a punt return average of 12.5 yards per return, by far the best average in the NFL during that span.
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The Eagles seemingly have a hole to fill on their roster at running back. The top two backs — Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement — are set, but there are question marks after that. LeGarrette Blount signed with Detroit, Kenjon Barner is a free agent and Wendell Smallwood and Donnell Pumphrey are on the roster but aren't guaranteed to stick.
On Tuesday morning, Pederson spoke about Sproles as if he were already back on the roster: “He’s a big part of our team.”
Pederson also mentioned how Sproles has handled the last few offseasons and said he doesn’t have to worry about how the vet takes care of his body. Over the past few years, Sproles would work out on his own and spend time with his family, occasionally visiting the NovaCare Complex.
“I’m not concerned about a Darren Sproles going forward,” Pederson said. “I just know the way he works, the way he trains, the way he gets himself prepared. If and when he decides to sign and come back, come on. We’re ready for him.”