Eagles activate Miles Sanders off IR, expected to play vs. Saints

Miles Sanders is back.

The Eagles activated the running back off Injured Reserve Saturday afternoon, which means the 24-year-old will make his return from an ankle injury against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon.

In a corresponding move, the Eagles placed OL Jack Anderson on IR.

Now that Sanders is back, it’s fair to wonder what the running back rotation will look like with him. In Sanders’ absence, the Eagles have ridden Jordan Howard and Boston Scott to three consecutive big weeks on the ground.

In the three games Sanders has missed, the Eagles have rushed for 175+ yards in all three.

Howard has 41 carries for 211 yards (5.1) and 3 touchdowns and Scott has 33 carries for 181 yards (5.5) and 2 touchdowns in that span.

With Sanders, Howard, Scott, and rookie Kenny Gainwell now on the active roster, someone might be the odd man out. And it won’t be easy to find touches for all of them.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked on Friday if he’s ever been on a team that keeps four running backs active on game days.

“I’m sure there have been. I know it’s a rarity,” he said. “But I’m sure there has been a time. Again, I’m glad that we have the four backs that we have. They all have a special skill set that we like and that we can use. Again, a tribute to Howie (Roseman) and his staff of the depth that we’ve created there.

“Again, just think a lot of every back in that room and I think a lot of teams would like to be in the situation we’re in right now, to have four guys that you really trust and can go out there and make plays.”

Sanders injured his ankle in Las Vegas back on October 24. But before the injury, he was off to a good start in that game with six carries for 30 yards.

On the season, Sanders has 63 carries for 300 yards (4.8) and has 19 catches for 118 yards. He has yet to get in the end zone in his third NFL season.

Let’s hope Sirianni keeps running the ball for Sanders, unless we’re going to have a problem.