It took Darren Sproles 12 NFL seasons and 161 games before he heard a coach utter the declaration that Doug Pederson made last week when Pederson called Sproles the Eagles' lead running back.
"No," Sproles said when asked whether a coach had ever said that. "[Not] that I'm a full-time running back."
Sproles warned against misinterpreting Pederson's plans, insisting that the other running backs would still be used. This was before Ryan Mathews rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns Sunday. But even with Mathews' reclaiming a bigger role, Sproles still played the most of the Eagles' four running backs.