The Philadelphia Eagles may have DeMarco Murray back in Week 4, but if he is out with an injury again, Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews will be the best fantasy start options for the team. Nelson Agholor has been a bust for fantasy owners this season so far, while the Eagles just got some positive news on Kiko Alonso, who could return this season after an injury.
The Eagles won over the Jets last weekend, but so far the offense has not played up to expectations and now the team is hoping they will be at full strength in Week 4. Murray was out last week while dealing with a hamstring injury and that left Mathews and Sproles to pick up the slack. The two players each produced for the Eagles and that led some to ask Chip Kelly what he will do once Murray returns, as he has struggled to get going this season.
According to Pro Football Talk, Kelly said in his press conference this week that the team has three running backs that "fit what we're doing" and that Murray will be evaluated this week. Kelly was asked about whether Mathews could start over Murray since Murray has just 11 yards on 21 carries in the two games that he has played, but the head coach said that it is "not a concern for us." Murray led the league in rushing last season with over 1800 yards and he has been off to a very slow start with just a .5 yard per carry average in two games and he has one rushing TD and one receiving touchdown.
Jeff McLane from the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Murray was limited in practice on Wednesday, but that he is expected to work more leading into Sunday. The Eagles will update his status in practice and if he is limited again or can't go, Mathews and Sproles should see a boost again. Sproles and Mathews both scored this past weekend and they are solid fantasy start options even if Murray comes back, as he needs to get his timing right this season. Nelson Agholor has been slow to start and needs to get things going as well.
The Eagles have been dealing with some notable injuries, including with Kiko Alonso and Andrew Gardner, but they may have gotten some positive news on Alonso. According to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Alonso may be able to return this season after suffering an ACL injury in Week 2. Initial reports had the injury serious enough to end Alonso's season, but the new report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media says that the linebacker met with doctors and that his ACL has been "deemed intact"
Having Alonso back would be huge for the Eagles, as the team traded LeSean McCoy in the offseason to get the linebacker. Mychal Kendricks was able to practice in full and that helps make up for Alonso until he can return if Kendricks can play in Week 4 after missing last week. The team also will be without Gardner, as Pro Football Talk reports that the right guard is out for the season and has been placed ion injured reserve. The team did the same with Cody Parkey and they have signed Caleb Sturgis as the new kicker.
