Eagles' Miles Sanders 'absolutely' playing in wild-card game

Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles RB Miles Sanders 'absolutely' playing in wild-card game vs. Buccaneers

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Jan 14, 2022 2:45 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles starting running back Miles Sanders hasn't played since Week 16 against the New York Giants. With the team two days away from their NFC wild-card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the former second-round pick has guaranteed that he'll be making his return.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders on whether he will play on Sunday against the Bucs: "Yes sir. Absolutely."
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 14, 2022

In 12 games this season, Sanders produced 754 rushing yards on 137 carries and 26 receptions for 158 yards, all of which were career lows. Additionally, the 24-year-old failed to score any rushing touchdowns for the first time in his three NFL seasons.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts led the Eagles in rushing attempts (139), rushing yards (784) and rushing touchdowns (10). In Sanders' absence, Philadelphia formed a running back by committee between Boston Scott (87 carries), Jordan Howard (86) and Kenneth Gainwell (68 carries), a trio that combined for 15 rushing scores.

The Eagles offense finished the regular season first in rushing yards (2,715), rushing yards per game (159.7) and rushing touchdowns (25). The Buccaneers defense, meanwhile, ranked third in both rushing yards allowed (1,573) and rushing yards allowed per game (92.5).

Philadelphia and Tampa Bay will kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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