The Philadelphia Eagles signed two veteran running backs in the offseason but Kenny Gainwell, a standout in last year’s Super Bowl run, opens the preseason atop the depth chart.
The Eagles will be looking to replace the production of Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders, who bolted for Carolina in free agency. Even though Sanders wasn’t much of a factor during the playoffs, he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns last season and was a key part of a roster that won 14 regular season games.
While Gainwell might be the RB1 on the Eagles’ depth chart, it’s probably ambitious to think that head coach Nick Sirianni will place the brunt of the workload on his shoulders.
Gainwell Will Likely Be The Eagles Week 1 Starter
Philadelphia is leaving training camp with five capable running backs on the roster.
Along with Gainwell, offseason acquisitions Rashaad Penny and D’Andre Swift will likely be worked into the rotation at some point during the regular season. Boston Scott and Trey Sermon will also be waiting to add depth to help the Eagles get through the grind of a 17-game season.
Gainwell is a terrific all-around back and he’ll likely be given a chance to work in a featured role early in the season, especially while Penny and Swift get acquainted with the Eagles’ offensive system.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him take the opportunity and run with it, literally.
However, over the course of a full NFL season, it’s more likely that all of the Eagles’ running backs will figure into the equation at some point.
Staying healthy has been one of Philadelphia’s key recipes to success under Sirianni and rotating running backs often during the season certainly fits into that philosophy.
Each running back also has unique talents and deploying the running back rotation situationally in a way that suits each player’s strengths will also open up the offense for Jalen Hurts.
Can Kenny Gainwell Handle A Full-Time Workload?
At 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, Gainwell doesn’t have the build of a workhorse back but that might not be a problem for the Eagles offense.
In his first two seasons, the former fifth-round pick from Memphis has never carried the ball 13 times or more in a single game. Gainwell has totaled 15 touches or more just five times in his NFL career.
When he did, his production wasn’t off the charts. Aside from his breakout performance in the NFC Divisional Playoffs versus the New York Giants, Gainwell had 87 total yards or fewer in every other contest.
During those five games, he finished with a total of just 389 yards (77.8 yards per game) on 75 touches (5.2 yards per touch).
Check out Gainwell’s production in a featured role below.
- 16 touches for 74 yards on Jan. 29, 2023 vs SF 49ers (NFC Championship)
- 13 touches for 114 yards on Jan. 21, 2023 vs NY Giants (NFC Divisional Playoffs)
- 16 touches for 87 yards on Jan. 8, 2023 vs Dallas Cowboys
- 17 touches 87 yards on Dec.5, 2022 @ NY Jets
- 13 touches 27 yards on Oct. 31, 2022 @ Detroit Lions
Swift Likely To Steal Snaps On Obvious Passing Downs
There’s no doubt that Gainwell has shown flashes of brilliance during his time in the Eagles backfield.
Sirianni showed his trust in Gainwell during the NFL Playoffs but he also showed the confidence to make bold decisions and go with players that he believes will give the team the best chance to win any given game.
Despite opening the preseason fifth on the RB depth chart, Swift seems almost certain to take away some passing down work from Gainwell, who has averaged just 7.5 yards per catch.
Even though he’s missed significant time due to injuries, Swift has racked up 156 receptions in his three NFL seasons and he’s fresh off of averaging 8.1 yards per catch as a member of the Lions in 2022.
Penny Is The Wildcard That Could Take The Eagles’ Offense To The Next Level
Like Swift, Penny has battled injury concerns throughout his NFL career but he’s performed when he’s been on the field. He looked to be on his way toward a breakout season before an ankle sprain and broken tibia ended his season in Seattle.
Prior to getting hurt, Penny rushed for 346 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. For his career, he’s averaged a healthy 5.7 yards per carry but he’s never had more than 120 carries in a single campaign.
At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, Penny is the type of downhill runner that could take advantage of the Eagles’ offensive line and stop opposing defenses from keying in on Hurts. Penny hasn’t gotten as much work as some of the other running backs in training camp but he’s still working his way back from a complicated offseason surgery, so it makes sense that the Eagles would ease him into action.
While there have been some rumors that he might be on the roster bubble, Penny is the low-risk, high-reward acquisition that could propel Philadelphia back to the Super Bowl. If he’s given some time to get healthy and gain confidence, it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to learn the lion’s share of the carries before the season’s over.
