Eagles general manager on Chris Polk: ‘We’re counting on him’
The Philadelphia Eagles roster is set at 53 and there are only three running backs on it. There’s LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles and Chris Polk.
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“We began the season with three running backs last year,” general manager Howie Roseman said Saturday afternoon, after the team reduced its roster from 75 to 53, via CSN Philly.
“I think you’re talking about three good players with versatile skill sets. And that’s why we made the decision to go in that direction.”
The Eagles released the NFL preseason leading rusher Henry Josey on Saturday to cut the roster down to the 53-man limit.
Considering Sproles is more of a hybrid player — and therefore not a pure running back — that’s a lot of pressure on Polk, who has only 11 career carries and four receptions. He’s also struggled with shoulder injuries since college, and he had a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the preseason.
The Eagles’ GM doesn’t care.
“We’re counting on Chris Polk here going forward,” he said. “I don’t know the exact timetable as far as practice.”
He explained his reasoning in being so confident about being so Polk dependent.
“Chris Polk has a body of work, and when you talk about backup spots, Chip has talked about looking for special teams contributions, and he’s done a really good job on special teams,” Roseman said.
“He’s another guy who has a different skill set — 220 pounds, has been successful in the NFL. Not to shortchange some of the guys we let go who had good camps, but looking at the body of work, and Chris worked very hard and had a great offseason.”