Chris Polk

Eagles RB Chris Polk is being pulled in two different directions as his third season in the NFL sits just two weeks away. On the one hand, Polk wants to be healthy for the start of the regular season – a season in which, at least a month ago, the expectation was that he would be the Eagles’ No. 3 running back. On the other hand, after missing about a month with a hamstring injury, Polk now needs to prove that he can be counted on when the season does begin.

“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason,” Polk said Saturday after returning to practice for the first time since suffering the injury. “You know, I can’t control (injuries), so I’m very optimistic. It could be a blessing in disguise. Maybe (the injury) gave me time to work on my shoulder and gave me time to work on other areas, whether it’s studying, getting stronger, faster, whatever. I’m definitely just taking positives out of everything. It just really slowed down and really put everything in perspective for me. Even though I’m not playing, I still watch every carry that every single running back we had (took during the preseason), and I try to envision myself what I would have done, so I wouldn’t fall behind. I’m here now.”

But after hearing head coach Chip Kelly say that the team is still trying to “find out who the third running back is going to be” following the Eagles’ third preseason game, Polk knows he has to do something.

Whoever is the third RB for the Eagles would likely see a big bump in touches if something were to happen to LeSean McCoy, since Darren Sproles isn't built for 15-20 touches per game.