Ryan Mathews Can Carry the Load for Philadelphia Eagles If Needed

The Philadelphia Eagles got some good news regarding DeMarco Murray’s hamstring injury. Per Ashley Fox for ESPN, the reigning NFL rushing champion will play Sunday against the New York Jets, so crisis averted.

Except there never was any crisis to begin with, at least as far as Murray’s hammy was concerned. If for some reason the All-Pro running back is unable to go at any point this season, the Eagles will be fine. Ryan Mathews is more than capable of carrying the load.

“I think Ryan and DeMarco are similar type players,” Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said. “You can do similar type things with them. If you had a different type of back backing up or being the No. 2 guy, then it's a different deal, but that’s one of the reasons we really had Ryan in here.”

YR	GMS	ATT	YDS	AVG	TD
2015	2	4	4	1.0	1
2014	6	74	330	4.5	3
2013	16	285	1,255	4.4	6
2012	12	184	707	3.8	1
2011	14	222	1,091	4.9	6
2010	12	158	678	4.3	7

Mathews became sort of the forgotten man in Philadelphia’s backfield before he ever even signed his free-agent contract this offseason. While the sixth-year veteran was already in town, the Eagles decided to fly Murray in as well, and that’s where the bulk of the fanfare has remained ever since.

Look no further than the reaction to Mathews being handed the ball rather than Murray on a critical 3rd-and-1 during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Based on the complaints, you might be tempted to believe Mathews is an inferior player.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

Yet, Mathews is a decent runner in his own right. He rushed for over 1,000 yards twice as a member of the San Diego Chargers, including as recently as 2013, once earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. He was the feature back there for years, with only injuries to blame for derailing a promising career.

In fact, in many ways, Mathews is actually equally or more impressive than Murray. Mathews was the 12th-overall draft pick in 2010; Murray was 71st in 2011. Mathews is 6’0”, 220 pounds; Murray is 6’0”, 217. Mathews ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds, via NFL.com; Murray did it in 4.41.

The only difference between the two at this point might be perception and paycheck. When you run for 1,845 yards in a season as Murray did in 2014, you’re elevated to superstar status. Mathews, on the other hand, was in and out of the lineup with injuries last year, only suiting up for six games.

“Ryan’s a great back,” center Jason Kelce said. “He’s a guy that can definitely go out there, and as long as we open the holes, he can be very effective.”

YR	REC	YDS	AVG	TD
2015	3	24	8.0	0
2014	9	69	7.7	0
2013	26	189	7.3	1
2012	39	252	6.5	0
2011	50	455	9.1	0
2010	22	145	6.6	0

Of course, that’s been the much larger issue for the Eagles. It hasn’t been who’s carrying the football as much as the blocking up front.

Philadelphia is averaging just 2.1 yards per rushing attempt, and neither Murray nor Mathews has been able to get going. Murray has 21 runs for 11 yards—a 0.5 average—while Mathews has four carries for four yards—and even 1.0 per.

That’s not on the backs. Blame the offensive line. Defenses are penetrating with regularity, blowing up many running plays in the backfield before they ever have a chance to get started.

You would expect that to get fixed at some point. It’s not any one player along the O-line that’s been responsible for the breakdowns, so sooner or later you expect quality players like Kelce, left tackle Jason Peters and even tight end Brent Celek to turn it around.

When they do, Murray and Mathews will both reap the benefits.

Even if Murray is healthy and good to go, expect Mathews to be a bigger part of the offense than he has. As Kelce explained in the locker room on Thursday, much of the reason his reps have been limited can be traced to the team’s inability to run the football. When the ground attack gets moving, that should result in more snaps for everybody.

But if Mathews were needed to become the workhorse back in Philly’s offense, there’s no question he could handle it. The role is not at all unfamiliar or new to the 27-year-old. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and pass protect. He can run with agility or power.

Mathews and Murray are almost interchangeable as far as the Eagles are concerned. Whether it’s the fourth quarter, 3rd-and-1, down by the goal line or for entire games, the offense is fine with Mathews taking the ball.

The only thing the Eagles need to worry about is blocking the play up front. The rest will take care of itself.

All quotes were obtained by the author.