In line for more work

Following Jay Ajayi's diagnosis of a torn ACL, Smallwood should experience an uptick in touches for the rest of the season, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: The Eagles backfield has been a revolving door this season due to injuries, but Ajayi's is by far the most serious to befall the group. Smallwood has benefited the past four games as Darren Sproles (hamstring) missed all of them and Corey Clement (quadriceps) sat out the last two, though the latter was active in the event of an emergency Sunday against the Vikings. On the season, Smallwood has averaged 6.0 YPC on 25 rushes, hauled in 10 of 15 passes, and scored two touchdowns in five contests.…read more

Totals 54 yards in loss

Smallwood carried five times for 39 yards and caught three of five targets for 15 more yards in Sunday's 26-23 loss to Tennessee.

Analysis: With Darren Sproles (hamstring) and Corey Clement (quad) both inactive, Smallwood played 36 snaps, or five fewer than Jay Ajayi on the day, while Josh Adams played just one. With increased opportunity the past two weeks. the 24-year-old has shown more versatility, seeing 10 targets and catching six after hauling in just 13 of 18 in eight games last season. If both Sproles and Clement are still unable to return for the Week 5 home tilt with Minnesota, the West Virginia product would again be in…read more

In line for top complementary role

Smallwood is expected to handle a larger role with reserve running backs Corey Clement (quadriceps) and Darren Sproles (hamstring) inactive for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Titans, Mike Kaye of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Though lead runner Jay Ajayi (back) will return from a one-game absence, his workload could be more limited than normal coming off the injury, which likely means a backfield committee that also includes Smallwood and Josh Adams will be in the works for Week 4. The absences of Clements and Sproles vault Smallwood up to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, and with it should come a solid dose of snaps in the change-of-pace role. While serving as the top understudy to Clement while Ajayi was…read more

Gains 91 yards

Smallwood rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries and added 35 yards on three catches during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Colts.

Analysis: What a difference a few weeks make. In late August, Smallwood was on the roster bubble. On Sunday, he took an inside handoff into the end zone for a four-yard, game-winning score with just three minutes remaining. It was a surprise performance for Smallwood, who totaled just 30 yards in the Eagles' first two games. Jay Ajayi (back) being held out was certainly a big factor, but it'll be interesting to see whether Smallwood is capable of adding another dimension to the Eagles' stable in the…read more

Headed for larger role

Smallwood is primed for an expanded role Sunday against the Colts, Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94 WIP Sports Radio reports.

Analysis: The extent of the role increase largely depends on whether Corey Clement (quad) is absent or limited after being added to Friday's injury report and listed as questionable. Smallwood was already geared up for the No. 2 running back job in the absence of Jay Ajayi (back) and Darren Sproles (hamstring), and there's now some chance for the third-year pro to get a start, though Eagles beat reporters all seem to agree that Clement is on track to play. Even if that happens, an in-game setback would…read more

Sees eight touches in loss

Smallwood carried the ball seven times for 28 yards and added one catch for two yards in Sunday's 27-21 loss to the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Smallwood split the rushing duties with Corey Clement while Jay Ajayi missed most of the first half with a back issue. Clement got the goal-line and passing-down work, however, and ended up with a much more impressive line as a result. The third-year pro would likely be ticketed for a similar role Week 3 only in the event Ajayi and Darren Sproles (hamstring) both are inactive against the Colts.

Sticks on roster

Smallwood earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster in Philadelphia, Bo Wulf of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: Smallwood got the No. 4 RB spot, beating out Josh Adams, Donnel Pumphrey and Matt Jones. The role may leave Smallwood as a healthy inactive some weeks, but he does have a shot to get some touches Week 1 if Jay Ajayi (undisclosed) isn't able to suit up against Atlanta.

Plays with first team Thursday

Smallwood started the Eagles' third preseason game Thursday and appears to be leading the battle for fourth running back, Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: With Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, and Darren Sproles all on the sideline, Smallwood acquitted himself well in his quest for a roster spot. While the 24-year-old started slowly with six attempts for just 17 yards in the first quarter, he racked up big gains later with four carries of at least ten yards. Meanwhile, Matt Jones fumbled again and has probably fallen behind Smallwood and rookie Josh Adams in the contest for the final spot in the Eagles' backfield.

Collects 67 yards

Smallwood ran for 53 yards on 12 carries and added 14 yards on two catches during Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Browns.

Analysis: There weren't many big plays, but after averaging 2.2 yards per carry during the first two weeks of the preseason -- it was a welcomed performance for the third-year back. Assuming that he and veteran Matt Jones are battling for one roster spot, Smallwood's outing and Jones' untimely fumble on Thursday could lead to the West Virginia product making the team.

Battling for No. 4 running back spot

Smallwood is battling Matt Jones for the No. 4 running back position, Dave Spadaro of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: Smallwood holds an edge over Jones in familiarity with the organization. It looks like he might also hold a slight edge over the No. 4 running back spot right now, given Jones' struggles as of late. Either way, both Smallwood and Jones will battle it out during Thursday's preseason dress rehearsal matchup against Cleveland. Smallwood is expected to receive a heavy workload early, giving him plenty of opportunity to take a stranglehold of a roster spot.

Set for busy night

Smallwood and Matt Jones likely will be the only two Philadelphia running backs to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Browns, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: With four running backs injured and Darren Sproles sitting out as a precaution, Smallwood and Jones will have a great opportunity to make their respective cases for a roster spot. They're probably competing with Josh Adams (undisclosed) and Donnel Pumphrey (leg) for a single job, as Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement are only believed to have minor lower-body injuries. Another job could open up if either Ajayi or Clement is slow to recover.

Takes step back

Smallwood rushed for one yard on four carries and nabbed one of four targets for five yards during Thursday's loss to the Patriots.

Analysis: Despite a dinged-up stable of running backs, Smallwood earned fewer touches, and did less with them, than the preseason opener. The Eagles fell behind by several scores early in the contest, so part of Smallwood's usage can be attributed to the flow of the game. At the same time, averaging just over two yards per touch while in a battle for a roster spot can't be how Smallwood hoped this preseason would start.

Could see heavy workload Thursday

Smallwood could see a heavy workload in Thursday's exhibition tilt versus the Patriots, Les Bowen of Philly.com reports.

Analysis: Smallwood has struggled early on in camp, but with Corey Clement (undisclosed), Donnel Pumphrey (lower body) and Josh Allen (undisclosed) not expected to play, he could see a plenty of snaps Thursday. Starter Jay Ajayi could get some run early but will almost certainly not get too exposed. The 24-year-old Smallwood is entering his third year with the team, but with several other talented running backs on the depth chart, he may need to turn some heads in order to earn other year on the team's…read more

Not looking good at camp

Smallwood is struggling early in training camp, Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Analysis: After spending much of last season as a healthy inactive, Smallwood seems to be competing for a single roster spot with Donnel Pumphrey, Matt Jones (undisclosed) and Josh Adams. Early reports from training camp suggest Pumphrey, a 2017 fourth-round pick, is making a strong case to stick on the team. Smallwood apparently isn't doing himself any favors and could have tough time sticking on the roster unless one of Jay Ajai, Corey Clement or Darren Sproles suffers a significant injury.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson said he's a big fan of Smallwood, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Analysis: That may be so, but it doesn't change the fact that Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement -- in that order -- are positioned atop the depth chart. Smallwood had 22 carries and five receptions between Weeks 3 and 4 last season, but he then missed two games with a knee injury, and eventually became a healthy scratch behind Ajayi, Clement, LeGarrette Blount and Kenjon Barber. The Eagles lost Blount and haven't re-signed Barber, but they do have interest in bringing back Darren Sproles (knee, arm). Smallwood…read more

Smallwood is active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: Dressing for the first time since Nov. 5, Smallwood appears well positioned to take on a healthy workload with Jay Ajayi (coach's decision) inactive and the Eagles unlikely to lean heavily on key backs LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement for a regular-season finale that doesn't carry playoff implications. With that in mind, Smallwood and pass-catching threat Kenjon Barner could end up seeing the bulk of the snaps out of the backfield, with the former likely representing the superior fantasy…read more

Smallwood could end up getting the lion's share of carries in Sunday's game against the Cowboys with the Eagles likely to limit the usage of most of their key running backs, Paul Domowitch of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: The Eagles are locked in as the NFC's No. 1 seed for the postseason and don't have much incentive to play their starters deep into the regular-season finale and risk injury, so there's a strong possibility that head coach Doug Pederson will turn over the game to the backups early on. With that in mind, Domowitch speculates that Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement won't play much - if at all -- Sunday, which would pave the way for Smallwood and Kenjon Barner to see some extended…read more

Smallwood (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's road contest against the Rams, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: Now with four consecutive DNPs, Smallwood likely won't see the field again this season unless the Eagles have locked down a particular playoff spot or an injury strikes somewhere in the backfield. Expect the trio of LeGarrette Blount, Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement to receive most of the carries yet again.

Smallwood (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday at Seattle, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: Smallwood remains the odd man out of the Eagles' backfield for a third game in a row. LeGarrette Blount will likely lead the way again, but Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement can also expect a decent amount of snaps against the Seahawks' ninth-ranked run defense.

Smallwood (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest versus the Bears, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: The addition of Jay Ajayi has restricted the number of spots available to running backs on the active roster. As such, Smallwood is a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game. In last Sunday's demolition of the Cowboys, LeGarrette Blount led the backfield, handling 30 of 64 offensive snaps. The remainder were split between Corey Clement (19), Ajayi (13) and Kenjon Barner (two).

Smallwood (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game at Dallas, Tim McManus of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: With Jay Ajayi fully implemented into the offense, the Eagles don't have a need for five running backs on the active roster Sunday. In Smallwood's stead, LeGarrette Blount, Corey Clement and Kenjon Barner will handle any reps left overs by Ajayi.

Smallwood ran five times for 25 yards in Sunday's win over the Broncos.

Analysis: He saw a season-low six offensive snaps but got carries on five of them. Still, despite coach Doug Pederson's claims to the contrary, Smallwood's role in the offense is trending down, and Corey Clement going off for three touchdowns won't help. With a bye coming up in Week 10 and newly-acquired Jay Ajayi sure to take on an even larger role thereafter, fantasy owners have little reason to hold on to the 23-year-old going forward.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday that Smallwood's role wouldn't change following the team's acquisition of fellow running back Jay Ajayi from the Dolphins on Tuesday, Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: While it's possible that Ajayi won't be a major factor in the Eagles' game plan for the Week 9 matchup with the Broncos as he familiarizes himself with a new playbook, it's difficult to view his addition as anything but a negative development for Smallwood, whose role in the offense had already begun to diminish prior to the trade. Since returning from a two-game absence due to a knee injury, Smallwood has played only 37 offensive snaps in the last two contests, including a season-low 13 in the…read more