This week, the Philadelphia Eagles flew to Cleveland, Ohio for a joint camp with the Browns. However, running back Miles Sanders hasn’t played, missing five consecutive practices. The 25-year-old is said to be dealing with “hamstring soreness”.
INJURY UPDATE: @Eagles ‘optimistic’ RB Miles Sanders (hamstring) will be ready Week 1 vs @Lions pic.twitter.com/9TB0oUYHI5
— The Fantasy Source 🔮🏈 (@FantasySource_) August 20, 2022
A MILES SANDERS INJURY REPEAT
Miles Sanders’ injury history dates back to his first offseason after his rookie year. Suffering a hamstring injury in August 2020, the running back missed Week 1, later sustaining a patella and MCL sprain.
In 2021, just as the Eagles’ rush game was starting to pick up, Sanders suffered an ankle injury, missing three games. After re-injuring the same ankle later in the season, he then broke his hand, missing two additional games.
The injuries have resulted in a shaky production from Sanders. Completing a career-low 158 receiving yards (754 rushing yards) last season, Sanders still managed to average 5.6 yards per carry. Now entering the last year on his current contract, Sanders was looking to use the 2022 season to score an extension.
His recent hamstring soreness isn’t a cause for concern just yet, but returning sooner than expected, may worsen things in the long run.
Nick Sirianni stated, “I’ll never get into how long or anything like that or how bad. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a trainer. We are just being precautious with him. He had some tightness and soreness in it. Just being precautious with him and we’ll see how it goes.”
He continued, “We have a great doctor staff, a great medical staff, a great athletic training, strength, and conditioning so they are working and he’s working to get himself healthy.”
After (what is now) three consecutive years of injury, Draftsharks estimates that Sanders has a 94% chance of injury this upcoming season. He is projected to miss 3.9 games.
Fans won’t see Sanders tomorrow during the Eagles’ preseason game against the Browns; however, he is expected to be back by Week 1. In the meantime, Kennedy Brooks and Jason Huntley will likely see extended carries. Last week, Brooks had seven carries for 26 rushing yards and Huntley finished with 16 carries, 48 rushing yards, and one touchdown.
IS A TRADE POSSIBLE?
Sanders’ hamstring injury has also brought up rumors regarding a trade — with Kareem Hunt. The Cleveland Browns’ running back will be heading into free agency in 2023, and has been looking to leave Ohio for quite some time now.
The Browns have enough depth at the running back position, and don’t necessarily need Hunt in the same way the Eagles may. However, Hunt’s past regarding assault allegations is something Philadelphia already passed on when it came to DeShaun Watson.
Looks like Browns RB Kareem Hunt, seen here talking with Nick Sirianni, isn’t practicing today.
Some have mentioned Hunt as a possible trade target for the #Eagles. He wants a new contract. pic.twitter.com/Iig4tYBti1
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 19, 2022
My gut is telling me the trade doesn’t happen. The Eagles have Kenny Gainwell who has already shown he can make an impact, and Huntley and/or Brooks would make a cheap addition.
It’s unknown as of now whether Boston Scott and Gainwell will take reps tomorrow, as Sirianni has not announced whether his starters will play. Philadelphia’s second preseason game begins at 1 PM at Cleveland.
