Eagles RB Kenneth Gainwell explains recent halftime 'mistake'

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell spoke with reporters Friday about why he responded to a profane Instagram message at halftime of last Sunday's 38-31 win at the Washington Commanders that improved Philadelphia to 7-1 on the season. 

"It was just the wrong click, and I got mad because I was already upset with myself for fumbling before halftime," Gainwell said while referencing a turnover he committed in the second quarter of the Washington game, per Chris Franklin of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "It was the heat of the moment." 

Gainwell reportedly replied "Lil boy don’t text me" after he read a message last Sunday telling him to "hold onto the football you f------ bum." Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that Gainwell "knows he made a mistake," and Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper later noted that the NFL has previously fined players for using "electronic devices that are not issued by the league during games." 

The 24-year-old now seems to realize that no good can come from giving internet trolls attention, particularly when he and his teammates are halfway through a grueling divisional contest. 

"I understand that it was something that I shouldn’t have done and take the responsibility, taking a stand for it and understanding that I need to be better," Gainwell acknowledged. 

According to ESPN stats, Gainwell heads into this Sunday's home game against the 5-2 Dallas Cowboys third on the Eagles with 51 carries, 153 rushing yards and a single touchdown on the ground this season. Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports mentioned on Thursday that Gainwell remains Philadelphia's RB2 even after he recorded two carries for negative four yards and the lost fumble against Washington. 

"It feels good having that trust from my coach and just attacking it, being ready when we need to be," Gainwell added. 

As of Friday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Eagles as three-point favorites against the Cowboys. It remains to be seen how much Gainwell will contribute during Sunday's encounter and whether he'll know to stay off his phone until after the final second ticks off the clock.