“I believe the National Football League season is a grueling, grinding season, particularly on running backs,” HC Doug Pederson said Wednesday. “And if you don’t have a couple of guys that you can really hang your hat on, it’s hard to get through a season.”

Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders will serve as a 1-2 punch in the Eagles’ backfield. Veterans Darren Sproles and Corey Clement will weave in and out of the lineup as mismatch options in the passing game.

The story pointed to the team having both Ryan Mathews and Jay Ajayi recently and both saw committee action instead of having a lead back. We keep hearing that Sanders could eventually take over the lead role, but for now, Howard could see a bit more action because of his strong spring and summer. Still, others feel Sanders will lead the team in touches from the start. This is a situation to keep an eye on for those who own either of these players. In our PPR rankings, we do have Sanders (31st) ranked higher than Howard (45th).

Miles Sanders will almost certainly overtake Jordan Howard at the top of the depth chart at some point, and probably soon, but Howard will still play a role. Especially if he keeps showing signs of progress as a pass-catcher, where he’s been solid thus far. At minimum, he’ll be one of the Eagles’ top options when it comes to short-yardage situations and in the red zone.

This story is actually about Howard and how he's become the forgotten man in the Birds backfield because of Sanders. The story added Howard has run well this year in OTAs and in camp, but it seems, according to those who follow the team, the main back job will end up going to Sanders sooner than later. Ideally, the Eagles like using a committee, so Howard should have a short yardage role, possibly even in the red zone.

In his observations from Monday's practice, Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane listed rookie running back Miles Sanders as his top player that is trending up on the Eagles.

McLane writes that Sanders "exceeded (his) early expectations, and (he) liked the selection." McLane also writes "There are still unknowns about his receiving, blocking and ball security, but as a ball runner, he looks like a pure thoroughbred." Sanders has been receiving nothing but praise throughout the football landscape and this is just another glowing endorsement from the media. The Eagles' is fairly crowded with Jordan Howard, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles in the mix, but Sanders may have the most upside of them all, even as a rookie. He looks in line to receive a healthy workload very early in his career.

Miles Sanders, the second-round rookie, has looked the part when given the chance. The Eagles are slowly integrating Sanders into the offense after he missed all of the offseason program workouts with a hamstring injury.

On Tuesday, Sanders displayed versatility in team drills. With tackling permitted in practice, Sanders made a few impressive runs through contact. During 11-on-11 drills, the running back scored a short-yardage touchdown through a wall of bodies.

Related players: Jordan Howard, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement

We're seeing all kinds of news about the Eagles backs, all of which is positive. Early reports said Sanders would eventually eat away carries from Howard. More recent reports have Howard looking great as well, while dominating first-team reps. One thing Sanders needed to work on was receiving, according to beat writers, but according to the story, Sanders looked natural catching the ball. This is likely shaping up to be a committee backfield, at least early on.

It is obviously early, but so far Jordan Howard is dominating carries with the 1st-team offense. Not even a close second.

Related players: Miles Sanders, Corey Clement, Darren Sproles

We did have a report a few weeks ago that said Sanders would eventually "eat away" carries in the offense. Keep in mind, Sanders fell behind in OTA workouts after an injury, so it's not surprising Howard is dominating now. Either way, this situation is shaping up to be a full-blown committee.

Eagles beat writer Reuben Frank said one of the popular sideline topics among the beat writers during practice is Corey Clement. There’s a school of thought that with Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard and Darren Sproles guaranteed roster spots, 2018 Eagles rushing leader Josh Adams and Wendell Smallwood back from last year and Boston Scott also in the mix, Clement could be a roster casualty.

I say no freaking way.

The Eagles do have a crowded backfield, but Sproles is expected to see mostly punt return duties, so the Birds could end up keeping five backs. Frank pointed out that Clement's efforts down the stretch in 2017 and in the Super Bowl can't be forgotten. Frank also called him "the best receiving back on the roster and one of the better blocking backs."

As for how playing time shakes out, I think Jordan Howard begins the season as the lead back and Corey Clement begins the season as the primary third-down back, but Miles Sanders eats away their snaps and touches as the season goes on.

Related players: Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, Boston Scott, Donnel Pumphrey

The story went on to say Sanders is a talented young back playing catch-up after missing OTAs, and it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field if he takes the expected strides. The story also mentioned BostonScott winning the fourth RB spot, meaning Wendell Smallwood and Josh Adams could very well get cut. Both played key roles last year after injuries to Corey Clement and Jay Ajayi.

Rookie running back Miles Sanders will face two opponents during training camp this summer: the Philadelphia Eagles' defense, and time.

Sanders, the dynamic back out Penn State who was taken 53rd overall by Philly in the 2019 NFL draft, sat out most of the spring with a hamstring injury, robbing him of precious reps as he acclimates to the pros. That leaves just training camp and the preseason for Sanders to show the coaching staff he is ready for a significant role right out of the chute.

"I fully expect him to come in ready, come in healthy, ready to go," coach Doug Pederson said. "We have to get him in the mix early. Definitely have to see exactly where he is mentally from all the mental reps that he took this spring, and slowly work him into the mix and see just how he can help us on game day."

Related players: Jordan Howard, Corey Clement

The story said Sanders' rise to the top could be gradual with Howard in the picture and the fact the Eagles have been most successful when using a committee approach at RB. Howard is quietly third in the NFL in rushing since 2016. We had a story on Sanders recently that said he still needs to work on ball security, pass blocking and receiving.

Corey Clement spent some of spring practices running on a side field, but he has not yet practiced with the team. Realistically, Clement is the only running back on the team the offensive staff can count on to be a contributor in the passing game, and is the clear "passing down" back with Darren Sproles not on the roster. The Eagles need him to be healthy for the regular season.

Related players: Miles Sanders

Clement was huge for the Eagles in 2017 in both the run and pass, which included 100 receiving yards and a TD in the Super Bowl, but in 2018 he dealt with injuries so the Birds need him to get back to form in 2019. Sanders, the story said, needs to work on pass protection, receiving and ball security in camp, but is already behind due to an injury this spring.

Jordan Howard will likely be the starter to start the season, and he'll be sort of the physical "meat and potatoes" guy who will (a) get you the yards that are blocked up for him, (b) handle the lion's share of the short yardage situations, and (c) grind out carries in the second half if the team is able to get comfortable leads on their opponents.

Related players: Miles Sanders

The story said Howard is an upgrade in all three of those departments from last year. Meanwhile, Sanders missed time in the offseason workouts and is behind as a result, according to the story. He'll also need to work on ball security, pass protection and receiving.