NFL Rumors: Darren Sproles Has Mentioned Potential Return to Eagles Teammates

Darren Sproles might not be ready to hang up his cleats just yet.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sproles has mentioned to teammates and the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff that he could return for a 15th NFL season.

Sproles, 35, has announced his intention to retire after the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He decided to come back in 2018 after suffering a broken arm and torn ACL in Week 3 of last season. 

Injuries have marred much of his 2018 campaign as well, but Sproles has played an effective role in the Eagles offense over the last five games.

"You work so hard to get back from one thing and then you have something else happen. That's tough. It was tough," Sproles told reporters of his injury issues in November. "You think you're good to go and you try to burst or something, and you could make it worse."

Sproles will be a free agent at the end of this season, but the Eagles would almost certainly be willing to bring him back. Their running back depth has been an issue all season since Jay Ajayi's injury. Ajayi is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent coming off an ACL tear; his return to Philly is questionable at best. 

Josh Adams has taken over in recent weeks on running downs but hasn't shown much pass-catching ability. Sproles could help fill that role next season.

Couple that with his mentorship role he plays in the locker room, and Sproles has a place on the roster if he decides to come back for one more year.