The Detroit Lions are catching a break on the injury front in Week 8. Sunday’s opponent in Ford Field, the Philadelphia Eagles, have placed their top running back on injured reserve.
Miles Sanders will not make the trip to Detroit as an active member of the Eagles. Philadelphia placed its leading rusher amongst RBs on IR with a foot and ankle injury on Friday. Sanders has run for 300 yards on 63 carries, a healthy 4.8 yards-per-carry average that is one of the best in the NFL.
The Eagles figure to lean on rookie Kenneth Gainwell to shoulder the load in Sanders’ absence. A fifth-round pick out of Memphis, Gainwell has been used more as a receiver (31 targets) than runner (25 carries) in the Eagles first seven games. Quarterback Jalen Hurts leads the Eagles in rushing with 361 yards and five touchdowns on just 66 carries.
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