If anyone is worried about Miles Sanders getting enough touches this 2021 season — think again.
Sanders is a promising running back that has seen his usage rate underutilized over his first two seasons in the NFL, but a new head guy that emphasizes pounding the ball could be the blessing in disguise for the former Penn State star.
New Eagles coach Nick Sirianni allowed an Indianapolis running back 20+ touches 7 times in 2020, and during his tenure there as an offensive coordinator, he revitalized a running back group featuring Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hynes, and Jordan Wilkins.
Those facts make up the ingredients for Sirianni to ensure he utilizes Philadelphia’s most prized possession in Sanders, whether in the backfield or as a pass-catcher.
During his second season, Sanders again finished below 1,000-yards — mainly due to the fact he missed a couple of weeks with injuries. However, when healthy over the past two seasons, the Eagles running back averaged 4.8 yards per carry, scored 12 touchdowns, and logged 78 receptions for 706 yards.
Over his career in games where Miles Sanders received 20+ touches he’s earned over 100+ yards in those contests.
Miles Sanders in games w/ 20+ touches:
172 yards & 2 TDs
156 yards & 1 TD
131 yards & 1 TD
107 yards & 0 TDs
105 yards & 1 TDHis lack of usage on the #Eagles has been criminal, but Nick Sirianni gave #Colts RBs 20+ touches 7 times, in 2020.
A breakout year is coming for #26. pic.twitter.com/Pt917nsqjN
— James Nagle (@NagleNFL) July 16, 2021
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
2021 should be Sanders’s breakout campaign, although we’ll just have to wait and see how the running back and Sirianni will formulate their chemistry on the field following a complete overhaul that shipped out former coach Doug Pederson and QB Carson Wentz.
Leave a Reply