Kenneth Gainwell has run 113 routes from non-backfield alignments (wide, slot, or tight) this season, tied for the 2nd-most among running backs.

Limited to 38 yards

Gainwell rushed the ball seven times for 26 yards in Sunday's 13-6 loss to the Browns. He added three receptions on four targets for 12 yards.

Analysis: The entire Steelers' offense was inefficient, and Gainwell's production similarly suffered. Positively, he maintained his role as Pittsburgh's primary pass catcher out of the backfield and ended the game with only two touches fewer than Jaylen Warren. However, Gainwell was held to his fewest yards from scrimmage since Week 10 heading into a pivotal Week 18 showdown with the Ravens that will decide the AFC North.

Improbable TD catch

Gainwell rushed the ball nine times for 50 yards in Sunday's 29-24 win over the Lions. He added five receptions on seven targets for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Analysis: Gainwell maintained his key role as a pass catcher in the Pittsburgh offense, finishing second on the team with seven targets. The Lions did a good job containing him for most of the game, though Gainwell managed an improbable 45-yard touchdown grab just before the end of the first half when he made the initial catch from the ground before popping up without being touched to reach the end zone. While overshadowed by Jaylen Warren on the ground, Gainwell also chipped in a long rush of 18 yards…read more

Pops off for 126 yards Monday

Gainwell took 13 carries for 80 yards and caught all seven of his targets for 46 yards in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins.

Analysis: Gainwell surprised national viewers by finishing Monday's game as the leading rusher ahead of Miami's De'Von Achane (12-60-0). The 26-year-old Gainwell reached double-digit carries for just the third time this season, with his extra touches coming at the expense of starter Jaylen Warren (12-33-0), who was battling an illness leading up to the contest. Gainwell's rushing production is too volatile to make him a reliable contributor in standard fantasy formats, but his 4.1 catches per game make…read more

Finds end zone as rusher

Gainwell rushed the ball four times for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-22 win over the Ravens. He added six receptions on seven targets for 27 yards.

Analysis: The Steelers continued their recent pattern of work in the backfield, with Jaylen Warren serving as the traditional lead back and Gainwell mixing in primarily on passing downs. Despite that, Gainwell made his biggest impact on a six-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter -- his first rushing score since Week 4. While he was ineffective as a receiver, Gainwell now has at least six catches in three of his last four games.

Limited role in loss

Gainwell rushed the ball five times for 20 yards in Sunday's 26-7 loss to the Bills. He added two receptions on three targets for 25 yards.

Analysis: The Steelers played from behind for the entire second half, which should have benefited Gainwell in his role as the primary pass catcher out of the backfield. However, Pittsburgh managed only 21 offensive plays in the final two quarters, limiting the volume for all of the Steelers' skill-position players. Gainwell will continue to have a key role in the offense, but he's a boom-or-bust fantasy option given the unit's inability to consistently move the ball.

Tallies 122 yards from scrimmage

Gainwell rushed the ball 10 times for 92 yards in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears. He added six receptions on six targets for 30 yards.

Analysis: Jaylen Warren was able to play despite nursing an ankle issue during the week, though he out-touched Gainwell only 18-16. Gainwell's big gain as a runner came on a fake tush push, with Connor Heyward instead spinning and handing the ball to Gainwell for a 55-yard gain -- ending just short of the goal line. As has been the case often this season, Gainwell also excelled as a receiver, pacing the team in receptions and finishing second in yards. Warren is likely to continue to serve as…read more

Two receiving TDs as Warren injured

Gainwell rushed nine times for 24 yards while catching seven of eight targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.

Analysis: Gainwell capped the opening drive with an 11-yard receiving touchdown. Jaylen Warren played only one snap after hurting his ankle in the third quarter, opening the door for Gainwell to play a larger role. Gainwell didn't find much running room but continued to make significant contributions as a pass catcher out of the backfield, including by notching a five-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter on a pass from Mason Rudolph, who replaced Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) at halftime. If Warren is…read more

Two receptions in defeat

Gainwell secured two of three targets for four yards during Sunday's 25-10 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Gainwell led the Steelers' running backs by playing 52 percent of the team's offensive snaps during Sunday's blowout loss, but he saw minimal touches against the Chargers. The primetime matchup marked the first time that Gainwell was held without any carries this season, and he failed to generate much production as a pass catcher. While the Steelers offense generally struggled as a whole Week 10, Gainwell's fantasy upside remains limited for the second half of the regular season.

Involved as pass catcher

Gainwell rushed three times for minus-1 yard while securing four of five targets for 35 yards during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Colts.

Analysis: Gainwell had logged double-digit rushing yards in each of his first seven appearances this year, and while he didn't have much success on the ground Week 9, he matched his season-best mark in receiving yards in the victory. He also was on the field for 37 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps, signaling that he remains the team's clear No. 2 back behind Jaylen Warren and ahead of Kaleb Johnson. Gainwell hasn't showcased much fantasy upside as the No. 2 option in the backfield over the first…read more

Seven touches in loss

Gainwell rushed five times for 31 yards while securing both of his targets for four yards during Sunday's 35-25 loss to Green Bay.

Analysis: Gainwell was the lone backup running back to take the field for the Steelers, as Kaleb Johnson didn't see any playing time in the primetime loss. Gainwell played 38 percent of the team's offensive snaps and was relatively efficient on the ground, but he didn't have enough volume to provide much fantasy value. While Gainwell has consistently outpaced Johnson's snap count over the first half of the season, Jaylen Warren has operated as the Steelers' clear lead back, making Gainwell an unreliable…read more

Five touches from scrimmage in loss

Gainwell rushed three times for 14 yards, brought in both targets for one yard and returned three kickoffs for 88 yards in the Steelers' 33-31 loss to the Bengals on Thursday night.

Analysis: Gainwell was back to a strict complementary role in Thursday night's game, as Jaylen Warren put together his best performance of the season with a 127-yard tally on the ground. Gainwell's carry and rushing yardage totals were both season lows, but the veteran back was able to make some solid contributions in his capacity as a returner. Gainwell should remain in a similar role when the Packers come to Pittsburgh for a Sunday night Week 8 showdown on Oct. 26.

Gets involved as pass catcher

Gainwell rushed the ball six times for 22 yards in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Browns. He added six receptions on six targets for 14 yards.

Analysis: Jaylen Warren served as Pittsburgh's lead back in a traditional sense, out-carrying Gainwell 11-6. However, Gainwell was more involved as a pass catcher, leading to a near-even split in total touches. Gainwell didn't make much of a case to further overtake Warren with an inefficient performance, but he appears to have a clear role in the Pittsburgh backfield for the time being.

Fills in admirably as lead back

Gainwell rushed the ball 19 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-21 win over the Vikings. He added six receptions on six targets for 35 yards.

Analysis: Jaylen Warren (knee) was surprisingly inactive Sunday morning, leaving Gainwell to fill in as Pittsburgh's lead back. He did so admirably, scoring touchdowns from one and four yards away while also ripping off long gains of 15 and 10 yards. Gainwell also remained active as a pass catcher, giving him a well-rounded fantasy line. The Steelers are headed into their bye week, meaning this may be Gainwell's only chance to handle this type of workload for the time being, but he proved plenty capable…read more

Appears headed for start Sunday

Gainwell is likely to serve as the Steelers' starting running back during Sunday's game against the Vikings in Dublin, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Though lead back Jaylen Warren (knee) was listed as questionable heading into Sunday, he had generally been expected to play until the Steelers made him inactive after he didn't respond as well to pregame warmups as the team had hoped. Warren should be ready to play following the Steelers' Week 5 bye, but his absence for the Ireland game clears the way for Gainwell to step into a more pronounced role. Gainwell served as the Steelers' clear No. 2 running back through the first three weeks of the…read more

Punches in short TD in win

Gainwell carried the ball four times for 16 yards and a touchdown and caught his only target for 10 yards in Sunday's 21-14 win over the Patriots.

Analysis: The former Eagle scored his first TD as a Steeler in the first quarter, punching in a one-yard score for the game's first points. Gainwell has worked as a short-yardage complement to Jaylen Warren through three weeks, a role that has led him to 85 scrimmage yards on 23 touches, and he'll likely need to find the end zone again to have much fantasy value in Week 4 against the Vikings.

Tallies 36 yards

Gainwell rushed the ball five times for 20 yards in Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Seahawks. He added three receptions on five targets for 16 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell was out-touched 18-8 by Jaylen Warren, settling into a change-of-pace role in the Pittsburgh offense. Gainwell's most notable carry came late in the third quarter when he spelled Jaylen Warren near the goal line, but he was stuffed at the four-yard line. Gainwell will likely struggle to get enough volume to be fantasy relevant in most formats, particularly if Kaleb Johnson is able to emerge in the offense as the season progresses.

Limited production in Week 1

Gainwell rushed seven times for 19 yards while securing three of four targets for four yards during Sunday's 34-32 win over the Jets.

Analysis: While rookie Kaleb Johnson drew plenty of buzz during training camp and preseason action as a complementary back alongside Jaylen Warren, Gainwell was on the field for 54 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Sunday's regular-season opener, while Johnson played just two offensive snaps. Gainwell's playing time was encouraging, but he was inefficient with his opportunities. As long as Pittsburgh's backfield remains relatively healthy, it seems unlikely that the 26-year-old will have much…read more

Minimal output in preseason loss

Gainwell rushed twice for two yards while securing his lone target for two yards during Saturday's 17-14 preseason loss to Tampa Bay.

Analysis: Jaylen Warren was a healthy scratch for a second consecutive preseason game Saturday, and Gainwell drew the start over rookie Kaleb Johnson. However, Gainwell was unable to do much with limited touches in the defeat, while Johnson racked up 11 carries for 50 yards while securing his lone target for nine yards. Although it was encouraging to see Gainwell draw the start Saturday, he'll likely need to generate more production if he hopes to carve out some work behind Warren during the regular…read more

Stays in Pennsylvania

The Steelers agreed to terms with Gainwell on a one-year contract Tuesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Analysis: The former Eagle won't have to move far, as he's staying in the state of Pennsylvania. With the Steelers, Gainwell slides into a backfield with a clear opening after Najee Harris left to join the Chargers on Monday. In four seasons with Philly, Gainwell rushed 280 times for 1,185 yards and 12 touchdowns, while adding 102 catches for 721 yards and an additional score in the passing game. He's a quality change-of-pace back, though his skill set feels a bit redundant with Jaylen Warren already on…read more

Staring down free agency

Gainwell rushed 75 times for 290 yards (3.9 YPC) and one touchdown across 17 regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also secured 16 of 22 targets for 116 receiving yards, while racking up a career-high 456 yards as a kick returner.

Analysis: Gainwell spent the 2024 campaign operating in a depth complementary role behind superstar backfield leader Saquon Barkley, culminating in just six carries for 10 yards during the team's Super Bowl LIX win. Having played out the final year of his rookie deal, the 2021 fifth-round pick is now slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year next week. Gainwell's versatile skillset will improve his odds of securing another pass-catching or change-of-pace role.

Set for Super Bowl

Gainwell (concussion/knee) doesn't carry a designation into Sunday's Super Bowl LIX matchup versus the Chiefs.

Analysis: Since sustaining a concussion in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 26, Gainwell didn't take part in drills last week, but a limited session Wednesday was followed by back-to-back uncapped practices. Now, with no designation to speak of, he's gained clearance from an independent neurologist and thus is good to serve as the direct backup to workhorse RB Saquon Barkley this weekend. In three postseason games so far, Gainwell has combined for 10 touches for 58 yards from scrimmage.

Bumps up to full participation

Gainwell (concussion/knee) practiced in full Thursday,

Analysis: Gainwell has followed up Wednesday's limited session with all activity one day later, indicating he's in the later stages of his recovery from the concussion that he sustained in the NFC Championship Game against the Commanders on Jan. 26. He remains subject to an examination from an independent neurologist in order to be available as Saquon Barkley's direct backup for Super Bowl LIX versus the Chiefs this Sunday.

Limited in return to practice

Gainwell (concussion/knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Analysis: Gainwell took part in his first notable on-field work since he sustained a concussion in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 26. He'll have to clear the five-step concussion protocol in order to make himself available for Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Chiefs, but he at least has made some progress on that front.

Listed as questionable

Gainwell (concussion/knee) is listed as questionable for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Chiefs.

Analysis: Gainwell hasn't been able to practice since sustaining a concussion on the opening kickoff of the second half of this past Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the Commanders. On a positive note, he still has more than a week to make his way through the protocol for head injuries, but progress on that front will need to happen on the practice field next Wednesday through Friday.

Doesn't practice Thursday

Gainwell (concussion/knee) was listed as a DNP on Thursday's injury report.

Analysis: Gainwell entered concussion protocol during the Eagles' NFC Championship Game victory over the Commanders this past Sunday. With another week of practice ahead for the Eagles before Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 9, Gainwell has additional time to clear the league's five-step concussion protocols. The 2021 fifth-round pick logged seven carries for 32 yards and caught all three of his targets for 26 yards across three playoff games.

Listed as non-participant

Gainwell (concussion/knee) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's estimated practice.

Analysis: Gainwell was ruled out of Philadelphia's win over Washington in the NFC Championship Game this past Sunday due to a concussion, and he's also currently dealing with a knee injury. The depth running back and return man will work to return to full health in time to contribute in the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX matchup with the Chiefs on Feb. 9. For the time being, rookie Will Shipley will be in position to handle increased practice reps behind lead back Saquon Barkley.

Forced out versus Washington

Gainwell has been ruled out of Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the Commanders due to a concussion.

Analysis: Gainwell logged three carries and two catches before exiting Sunday's game. The 25-year-old appeared to take a blow to the head/neck area while blocking on the opening kickoff of the second half. In his absence, rookie Will Shipley will have to step up as RB2 behind Saquon Barkley. Should the Eagles hold on to win versus the Commanders, then Gainwell will have two weeks to clear concussion protocol before the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 9

Modest numbers in Week 18

Gainwell carried the ball 11 times for 14 yards and caught two of four targets for nine yards in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Giants.

Analysis: Getting the start in place of a resting Saquon Barkley, Gainwell led the Eagles in totes but got thoroughly outplayed by rookie Will Shipley, who turned 14 touches into 67 yards. Barkley will be back in his workhorse role when the Eagles host the Packers in the wild-card round next weekend, but Gainwell's experience in the offense should allow him to retain the No. 2 role in the backfield. The fourth-year RB wraps up the 2024 regular season with a modest 406 scrimmage yards and just one TD over…read more

Appears headed for Week 18 start

Gainwell took reps with the first-team offense during pregame drills and appears in line to start Sunday's game against the Giants, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: With the Eagles having locked up the NFC's No. 2 seed, normal lead back Saquon Barkley will be resting in the regular-season finale, leaving Gainwell and Will Shipley as the team's available backfield options after Philadelphia elected not to elevate Tyrion Davis-Price from the practice squad for the second week in a row. Though he has worked as Barkley's top backup all season, Gainwell probably won't be tasked with handling a three-down workload, as the Eagles presumably want Gainwell to…read more

Limited looks in blowout win

Gainwell finished with three carries for four yards and one catch for five yards in Sunday's 41-7 blowout win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: While Gainwell has strictly been a backup running back this season, the Eagles' six wins by 14 or more points this season have offered him the opportunity to rack up a meaningful amount of yardage in garbage time. That wasn't the case in Week 17, as starter Saquon Barkley carried the ball 31 times while Gainwell saw the same amount of carries as Tyrion Davis-Price, who was elevated from the practice squad to see his first game action of the year. Gainwell could see more action in Week 18 if the…read more

Minor role in loss to Commanders

Gainwell rushed four times for seven yards and caught one pass for six yards in Sunday's 36-33 loss to the Commanders.

Analysis: The Eagles leaned on their ground game after Jalen Hurts exited early with a concussion, but that didn't mean more action for Gainwell. Saquon Barkley carried the ball a season-high 29 times, but Gainwell played just 13 offensive snaps, lower than his season average of 16.

60 total yards against Steelers

Gainwell rushed seven times for 20 yards and caught three passes for 40 yards in Sunday's win over the Steelers.

Analysis: Saquon Barkley was banged up for part of the game, missing the entire second quarter before returning to action, which allowed Gainwell to see a season-high 31 offensive snaps. The result was Gainwell's second-highest yardage total of the season, though he failed to find the end zone with any of his 10 touches. He's scored just one touchdown all year.

Five touches against Carolina

Gainwell rushed three times for 26 yards and caught both of his targets for seven yards in Sunday's 22-16 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: After failing to record a single rush or target in Week 13, Gainwell saw five opportunities against the Panthers in Week 14. Unfortunately, the veteran running back was unable to get much going in his limited role behind Saquon Barkley. Gainwell played 24 percent of the Eagles' offensive snaps in the contest, and he has now hit at least a 30 percent snap share since Week 10. With Barkley rolling, the 25-year-old Gainwell remains nothing more than a solid insurance policy heading into the…read more

Zero touches in Week 13

Gainwell finished Sunday's 24-19 win over the Ravens with zero rushes and zero receptions.

Analysis: Gainwell's role has been small all season while stuck behind Saquon Barkley, but this was the first time since Week 15 of his rookie season (2021) that Gainwell went an entire game without touching the ball on offense. While Gainwell only saw the field for seven offensive snaps on Sunday, the fact third-string running back Will Shipley logged a sole play from scrimmage himself seems to corroborate there's no indication of a depth-chart shakeup.

Finally finds end zone

Gainwell rushed five times for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-20 win over the Rams.

Analysis: Gainwell found the end zone on a 13-yard run late in the third quarter to stretch the Eagles' lead to two scores. Otherwise, there wasn't much for him to do in a game in which Saquon Barkley rushed for 255 yards and two more scores. Gainwell has averaged 4.3 carries for 19.9 yards through 11 games this season.

Five touches in Week 11 win

Gainwell rushed four times for 43 yards and added a six-yard reception in Thursday's 26-18 win over Washington.

Analysis: Gainwell has averaged 4.9 touches per game this season, with a total of 42 rushes and seven receptions through 10 games, so his workload Thursday was fairly typical. He tends to see more work if the Eagles can cruise through the fourth quarter with a comfortable lead, as has been the case in multiple games this season, but in close contests, his workload is typical for a backup.

Seven carries in blowout win

Gainwell rushed seven times for 30 yards and added one catch for nine yards in Sunday's 34-6 win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: Gainwell saw his second-most touches of the season, trailing only his 14 touches in a Week 7 blowout over the Giants. If the Eagles' hot streak continues, expects some more garbage-time action for Gainwell, but that makes him at best an unreliable source for a small handful of fantasy points.

Just 10 yards on six touches

Gainwell rushed five times for nine yards and added a one-yard reception in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Jaguars.

Analysis: Gainwell saw his second-most touches of the season but did very little with them, gaining a total of just 10 yards. He's averaging just 19.8 yards on 4.5 touches per game this season. Saquon Barkley dealt with back tightness during the Week 9 win but did not appear to be meaningfully impacted and is expected to be fine for Week 10 against the Cowboys, so expect Gainwell's role to remain limited.

Five carries in 20-point win

Gainwell carried five times for 19 yards in Sunday's 37-17 win over the Bengals.

Analysis: Gainwell had just one carry until the second half of the fourth quarter but got a handful of opportunities late after the Eagles had put the game out of reach. The Eagles have won their last two games by a combined 45 points, resulting in Gainwell's two biggest workloads of the year, but don't be surprised if he's limited to two or three touches the next time the team is in a close game.

Racks up yards in garbage time

Gainwell carried the ball 13 times for 56 yards and caught one pass for 11 yards in Sunday's 28-3 win over the Giants.

Analysis: Gainwell's 14 touches for 67 total yards in Week 7 were more than the 11 touches for 62 yards he managed across the first six weeks combined, but don't count on a similar workload going forward. The Eagles were able to rest most of their starters for the entire fourth quarter after getting out to a big lead, but Saquon Barkley should resume taking nearly all of the running back touches next week in Cincinnati, assuming the game stays close.

Slightly larger role in win

Gainwell set season highs in carries (three) and yards (23) in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Browns.

Analysis: Gainwell was also targeted once in the passing game but did not finish with a reception. With just 11 total touches in five games this season, his workload remains far too small for him to have much fantasy relevance.

Season-high nine yards

Gainwell rushed twice for a season-high nine yards in Sunday's loss to the Bucs.

Analysis: Gainwell's 24 offensive snaps easily outpaced his previous season high of 14, but he remains a very minor part of the team's gameplan. Gainwell has received exactly two touches in all four games so far, and it would seemingly take an injury to Saquon Barkley for that to change.

No carries in Week 3

Gainwell did not carry the ball in Week 3 against the Saints, though he did catch two passes on three targets for 12 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell averaged between 3.1 and 5.3 carries per game over his first three seasons as an Eagle, but there's been no room for him in the gameplan since the arrival of Saquon Barkley. While Barkley sits second in the league with 63 carries, Gainwell has rushed just three times all year.

Two carries in Week 2

Gainwell rushed twice for six yards in Monday's 22-21 loss to the Falcons.

Analysis: Gainwell was on the field for just seven of the Eagles' 71 offensive snaps Monday while teammate Saquon Barkley handled 64 snaps. The 25-year-old has been an afterthought for much of the first two games with Barkley flashing his impressive playmaking ability so far in 2024. Barring injury, Gainwell should continue to see limited action when the Eagles visit the Saints in Week 3.

Minor role in Week 1

Gainwell finished Friday's Week 1 win over the Packers with one carry for two yards and one catch for 10 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell averaged a career-high 7.1 touches per game last season, but his role is more likely to shrink than grow this year after the Eagles added Saquon Barkley in free agency. It would take an injury to Barkley for Gainwell to earn a fantasy-relevant workload. Gainwell does at least remain the backup to roster for now for those wanting coverage for Barkley, as he played 14 offensive snaps to Will Shipley's four.

Gets start in preseason win

Gainwell carried the ball four times for 23 yards in Friday's 16-13 preseason win over the Ravens.

Analysis: Reporting earlier in the day suggested that Saquon Barkley and the Eagles' first-team offense would get a series at the beginning of the game, but instead Gainwell got the start in the backfield and played the first handful of snaps before giving way to Will Shipley on Philadelphia's second possession. Gainwell's experience in Nick Sirianni's system has him penciled into the No. 2 spot on the running back depth chart behind Barkley, but the team used a fourth-round pick in this year's draft on…read more

Taking some first-team reps

Gainwell is getting some first-team reps early in training camp, Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green reports.

Analysis: It's not exactly surprising that a fourth-year pro with 1,071 career snaps on offense is starting camp ahead of rookie fourth-round pick Will Shipley on the depth chart. The question is whether Gainwell can hold the youngster off all summer for a backup role that doesn't figure to entail much playing time so long as Saquon Barkley is healthy.

Becomes backup to Barkley

Gainwell is poised to operate as the backup to Saquon Barkley, who slated to sign a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles, Eric Edholm of NFL.com reports.

Analysis: Gainwell looks set to remain Philadelphia's No. 2 running back, but instead of backing up D'Andre Swift (who is set to join the Bears on a three-year, $24 million contract), he'll look to complement an established, true three-down workhorse in Barkley. That could spell less opportunities for offensive touches for Gainwell, who tallied career-high marks with 84 carries for 364 yards and two scores in 2023, but he should retain quality value as an insurance option behind Barkley. Gainwell's…read more

Small steps forward in third season

Gainwell rushed 84 times for 364 yards and two touchdowns in 16 regular-season games, adding 30 catches for 183 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell's carries and yards both represented career highs, albeit not by huge margins over his 68 carries for 291 yards as rookie in 2021. He also saw his workload get scaled back significantly after his first two games, as he averaged four carries per game the rest of the way after rushing 14 times in both of his first two contests. It's unlikely he suddenly becomes the lead back for the Eagles next season.

Leading rusher in Week 18 loss

Gainwell carried the ball seven times for 62 yards and failed to catch his only target in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Giants.

Analysis: D'Andre Swift (illness) wasn't healthy enough to suit up, so Gainwell got the start in the backfield for the Eagles and led the team in rushing yards while also setting a season high, topping the 54 yards he picked up back in Week 1. Swift should be back for Philly's playoff opener, a road game in Tampa Bay in the wild-card round, bumping Gainwell back to a depth role.

Looks poised to start Sunday

Gainwell was the first running back to take reps in pregame warmups and appears set to start in Sunday's game against the Giants, Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: With lead back D'Andre Swift (illness) inactive, Gainwell could be poised to challenge for double-digit touches out of the backfield for the first time since Week 3, when Swift hadn't yet fully established himself as the No. 1 option. The Eagles have Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny available in reserve, but the former has mostly been relegated to special-teams duties in recent weeks, while the latter has been a healthy inactive for much of the season. Gainwell has enjoyed some level of success…read more

Another six touches in Week 17

Gainwell rushed twice for five yards, reeled in all four targets for 15 yards and completed his only pass for 17 yards during Sunday's 35-31 defeat to the Cardinals.

Analysis: Gainwell remained in a complementary role behind the Eagles' top running back D'Andre Swift, getting out-touched by his teammate, 14-6. His 20 yards from scrimmage also marked his second fewest in a game over the last six contests, but Gainwell did connect with DeVonta Smith (leg) on a 17-yard gain, marking the first official pass of his three-year career. Considering his workload of 5.4 touches per game since the team's Week 10 bye, Gainwell will be tough to trust for production Week 18 at the…read more

Season-high 79 yards from scrimmage

Gainwell rushed six times for 41 yards and caught three passes for 38 yards in Monday's win over the Giants.

Analysis: Gainwell's 79 total yards from scrimmage represented his highest total of the season, though he played less than 40 percent of the Eagles' offensive snaps for the first time since Week 12. He remains clearly behind D'Andre Swift on the depth chart, as Swift received 20 touches in the victory.

Most carries since Week 7

Gainwell rushed six times for 21 yards in Monday's loss to the Seahawks.

Analysis: Gainwell's six carries marked his highest total since Week 7, but he also went without a reception for the second week in a row. He remains the clear second running back behind D'Andre Swift, and neither his average of 29.7 yards from scrimmage per game nor his two total touchdowns on the season are particularly useful for fantasy purposes.

Four carries in loss

Gainwell rushed four times for 28 yards in Sunday's 33-13 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: Gainwell's rushing yards represented his highest total since the third week of the season, but he also went without a reception for just the second time all year. The only time he's finished with more than 50 yards from scrimmage this season came back in Week 1, so his fantasy appeal remains limited.

Starting RB goes down late

Gainwell had two carries for five yards and caught five of six targets for 42 yards in Sunday's 42-19 loss to the 49ers.

Analysis: D'Andre Swift (undisclosed) left Sunday's contest late after absorbing a big hit in the loss to San Francisco, leaving Gainwell as the next man up on Philadelphia's depth chart. The latter finished with his best receiving performance of the season, but most of that production came while the former was healthy. The nature and severity of Swift's injury are currently undisclosed, but Gainwell figures to receive the biggest boost in fantasy value for Week 14 should the Eagles' starter miss next…read more

Four touches in overtime win

Gainwell finished Sunday's 37-34 overtime win against the Bills with two carries for 26 yards and two catches for 10 yards.

Analysis: The game lasted an additional seven-plus minutes, but Gainwell still didn't play much of a role, finishing with fewer than five touches for the third consecutive game. He averaged 16.5 touches in his first two games of the season but has now averaged just 5.3 touches over his last eight contests. Gainwell did have a key 23-yard run to set up a sneak by Jalen Hurts for the first score of the game, but his lack of volume gives him little fantasy appeal.

Sees limited action Monday

Gainwell rushed once for one yard and caught his only target for four yards in Monday's 21-17 win over the Chiefs.

Analysis: Gainwell played just 17 of the Eagles' 56 offensive snaps, and his two touches and five total yards accounted for his lowest outputs of the season. He's clearly behind D'Andre Swift in the pecking order at running back, and he'll continue to remain in a limited role barring an injury to Swift.

Gets into end zone in Sunday's win

Gainwell carried the ball three times for 22 yards and a touchdown and caught his only target for one yard in Sunday's 28-23 win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: The third-year running back launched himself into the end zone with a forward flip from the three-yard line in the first quarter for the game's first points, giving Gainwell his second TD of the season -- both of which have come in the last three contests. His workload behind starter D'Andre Swift remains limited, but he's making the most of it, and Gainwell's role could grow coming out of the Eagles' Week 10 bye as the team gets ready for a Super Bowl rematch with Kansas City in Week 11.

Two carries but five catches

Gainwell rushed twice for a loss of two yards in Sunday's 38-31 win over the Commanders but added five catches for 30 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell played a minimal role in the rushing game, but his receptions, receiving yards and targets (five) all represented season highs. In terms of total touches, however, he's now been held to single digits for five consecutive games, and his offensive snap count fell to a season-low 18.

Scores first TD this season

Gainwell rushed eight times for 16 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Dolphins.

Analysis: D'Andre Swift (15-62-0) did the heavy lifting for Philadelphia on the ground, but it was Gainwell who cashed in a short touchdown on the Eagles' final scoring drive. It was the backup's first trip to the end zone in six games this season. The curious coaching decision to start Gainwell over Swift back in Week 1 is looking more like an anomaly with each passing week, leaving the backup with only deep-league fantasy appeal heading into next Sunday's matchup against the Commanders.

Season-low two carries

Gainwell finished Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Jets with two carries for 13 yards and added four more receiving yards on one reception.

Analysis: Gainwell didn't trail primary running back DeAndre Swift by a wide margin in snap count (40-29), but Swift had 10 carries to Gainwell's two. That represented a season low for Gainwell, who's now carried the ball a total of 13 times over the last three weeks after receiving 14 carries in each of the first two games of the year.

Minor role in Week 5

Gainwell finished Sunday's 23-14 win over the Rams with seven carries for 17 yards and pulled in one of his two targets for seven more yards.

Analysis: The Eagles backfield has settled into a distinct hierarchy in recent weeks, with D'Andre Swift the clear No. 1 option and Gainwell the clear No. 2. For the third consecutive week, no other back saw the field for a single offensive snap. Gainwell likely needs an injury to Swift to gain broader fantasy relevance, however, as he's averaged a modest 31 combined rushing and receiving yards on 9.7 touches per game over those three weeks. He's also yet to find the end zone this season.

Limited usage in OT win

Gainwell carried the ball four times for 14 yards, caught both his targets for seven yards and ran in a two-point conversion in Sunday's 34-31 overtime win over the Commanders.

Analysis: D'Andre Swift dominated the Philly backfield with 18 touches, and while Gainwell was able to salvage a bit of fantasy value with his two-point conversion, it was still a disappointing showing for the third-year RB after he saw a combined 33 touches in his first two games of the season. As long as Swift remains productive in the lead role, it could be tough for Gainwell to deliver consistent numbers, but head coach Nick Sirianni could also look his way more often again in Week 5 against the Rams.

Outplayed by Swift in return

Gainwell (ribs) rushed 14 times for 43 yards and caught one of two targets for five yards in Monday's 25-11 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Gainwell's first carry in his return from a one-game absence came on fourth-and-1, and he got stuffed for minus-1 yard to end Philadelphia's opening drive in the red zone. He finished with 14 carries to D'Andre Swift's 16, but Swift was vastly more effective, churning out 130 rushing yards on the heels of last week's 175-yard performance on the ground. The gap in attempts was much wider while the game was still in doubt, as eight of Gainwell's carries came on the final drive. Swift's the leader…read more

Full practice participant

Gainwell (ribs) was a full practice participant Friday ahead of Monday's game in Tampa Bay.

Analysis: Gainwell handled 62 percent snap share and 18 touches in the season opener but now finds himself rejoining a backfield that had D'Andre Swift run for 175 yards in a Week 2 win over Minnesota. Given Swift's standout performance and Gainwell's pre-Week 1 lack of experience in a No. 1 role, it'll be surprising if Gainwell is the lead guy Monday night. If nothing else, Gainwell remains a strong candidate for playing time in obvious passing situations.

Officially limited Thursday

Gainwell (ribs) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Analysis: Gainwell got the Week 1 start out of the Eagles backfield and managed 74 yards from scrimmage on 18 touches. He emerged from that contest with a rib injury that ended up sidelining him for last Thursday's win against the Vikings. Fellow running back D'Andre Swift took advantage of Gainwell's absence, taking 28 carries for 175 yards and one touchdown while adding three catches (on three targets) for six yards. Swift likely will remain Philadelphia's No. 1 RB for the foreseeable future, even when…read more

Back on practice field

Gainwell (rib) was spotted on the field for the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: After sitting out the Eagles' Week 2 win over the Vikings on Sept. 14 due to a rib injury, Gainwell appears to have at least made some progress in his recovery. While the extent of his practice activity won't be known until the Eagles release their first official Week 3 injury report later Thursday, the fact that Gainwell is on the field in any capacity bodes well for his chances of playing Monday against the Buccaneers. Gainwell served as the Eagles' lead back in the team's season-opening win…read more

Won't play in Week 2

Gainwell (ribs) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Vikings.

Analysis: Gainwell was unable to practice at all during Week 2 prep due to a rib injury, and his absence Thursday will leave the Eagles backfield in the hands of D'Andre Swift, Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny. Philadelphia doesn't play again until Sept. 25 at Tampa Bay, so he'll have almost two weeks to rest and recover before the team next needs to make a decision on his availability.

Appears likely to sit Week 2

Gainwell (ribs) appears to be trending toward sitting out Thursday's game against the Vikings, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: The Eagles will provide an official gameday designation for Gainwell following Wednesday's practice, but his chances of playing Thursday don't appear promising after he was listed as a non-participant on practice reports Monday and Tuesday. Gainwell will likely need to log at least limited activity Wednesday to have hope of playing Week 2. He served as the lead option for Philadelphia's backfield Week 1, so an absence from Gainwell would spell increased opportunities for D'Andre Swift and…read more

Another DNP on Tuesday

Gainwell (ribs) was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's practice estimate.

Analysis: For a second consecutive day, Gainwell was held out of the Eagles' walkthrough, giving him just one more chance to log some activity ahead of Thursday's game against the Vikings. It's unclear if his current rib injury is threatening his availability for that contest, but Philadelphia at least boasts backfield depth in the event he is limited or out. In the team's Week 1 win at New England, Gainwell turned a 62 percent snap share into 18 touches for 74 yards from scrimmage, while D'Andre Swift…read more

Dealing with rib injury

Gainwell didn't take part in Monday's walkthrough due to a rib injury.

Analysis: With Rashaad Penny a healthy scratch for Sunday's season opener at New England, Gainwell handled a 62 percent snap share (41 of 66), while D'Andre Swift (29 percent, 19 snaps) and Boston Scott (12 percent, eight snaps) mixed in behind him. That split is unlikely to be repeated though, with Gainwell tending to a health concern on a short week. The Eagles' first Week 2 injury report was an estimation, so his activity level in the team's first actual practice will offer more clarity on his status…read more

Dominates backfield touches

Gainwell rushed the ball 14 times for 54 yards in Sunday's 25-20 win over the Patriots. He added four receptions on four targets for 20 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell shifted up the depth chart after Rashaad Penny was a healthy scratch. However, he not only led the way in the Philadelphia backfield, he dominated touches as Boston Scott and D'Andre Swift each saw only one carry. While his performance was unspectacular, Gainwell did nothing to lose the job by playing without any significant mistakes in rainy conditions. As a result, he seemingly has a good chance to lead the way again in a Week 2 matchup against the Vikings.

Moves up depth chart

With Rashaad Penny expected to be a healthy scratch for Sunday's matchup against New England, Gainwell and Boston Scott will operate as the primary backups to D'Andre Swift, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Analysis: The Eagles were always expected to have a backfield committee after moving on from Miles Sanders while adding Swift and Penny this offseason. That likely won't change in Week 1, although Penny's imminent inactive status is somewhat surprising. While Swift will presumably start and operate as a lead back, Gainwell and Scott should be mixed in often given their familiarity with Philadelphia's system. Gainwell, a 2021 fifth-round pick, has showcased a solid dual-threat skill set during his first…read more

In mix for touches

The Eagles are leaning toward a committee approach in a backfield that currently includes Gainwell, D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon, Zach Berman of the The Athletic suggests.

Analysis: With Miles Sanders, who led the Eagles with 259 carries in 2022, now with the Panthers, it looks like the team is prepared to roll with a combination of backs on a weekly basis. The Eagles' posted depth chart lists the team's RBs together as a group, and unless a starter is identified ahead of Week 1, a game-by-game approach leaning on the hot hand could be in play out of the gate. While Swift profiles a big-play threat who figures to get his share of touches in the passing game and Penny…read more

First back with a touch Thursday

Gainwell rushed twice for six yards in the Eagles' 18-18 preseason tie with the Browns on Thursday night.

Analysis: Gainwell was the first Eagles back to record a touch, but that carry went for a two-yard loss that resulted in a safety. The 2021 fifth-round pick saw one of his competitors for a reserve running back role, Trey Sermon, outperform him by a wide margin with a five-carry, 54-yard, one-touchdown tally on the ground and a 14-yard reception, so the pressure could be on Gainwell during Philadelphia's preseason finale against the Colts at home next Thursday.

Looking good for part-time role

Gainwell seems to have a spot on the Eagles roster, though he's one of five backs competing for roles this summer, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: Gainwell, D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon all have taken snaps with the first-string offense and also with the backups. Zangaro expects the first three to make the regular-season roster, while Scott and Sermon seem to be battling for the fourth and final spot. Gainwell isn't the biggest or fastest of the bunch, nor the most skilled receiver, but he has a good command of head coach Nick Sirianni's offense and hopes to make an impression this summer with improved pass…read more

Efficient sophomore season

Gainwell had 53 carries for 240 yards and four touchdowns across 17 regular-season games in 2022. He also secured 23 of 29 catches for 169 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell improved to 4.5 YPC in Year 2 but saw both his carries and receptions dip. However, with Miles Sanders an impending free agent, there is reason for cautious optimism about Gainwell's opportunities increasing in the 2023 season. The 23-year-old logged a particularly impressive playoff run, with over 100 rushing yards and a score in the Eagles' divisional-round win over the Giants, and he tied Sanders' seven carries in the team's Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. His future fantasy upside…read more

Breaks out in divisional-round win

Gainwell rushed 12 times for 112 yards and a touchdown and brought in one of two targets for nine yards in the Eagles' 38-7 divisional-round win over the Giants on Saturday night.

Analysis: Gainwell ended up logging just five rush attempts fewer than Miles Sanders, with game script heavily tilting toward the ground attack as the night unfolded. Gainwell, a second-year back, is still most likely to operate in a change-of-pace, low-volume role in an NFC Championship Game battle versus either the Cowboys or 49ers a week from Sunday, but Saturday night's performance, which was highlighted by a 35-yard scoring scamper with 1:51 remaining, served as a reminder of his considerable upside.

Takes step back in second season

Gainwell carried the ball five times for 35 yards and record a seven-yard reception in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Analysis: Gainwell didn't make a big impact on the regular-season finale, though his 35 rushing yards represented his second-highest mark of the season. With starting running back Miles Sanders staying healthy all season and finishing eighth in the league with 259 carries, the Eagles didn't have much room left over for Gainwell to carve out a larger role on offense. The second-year back's 4.5 yards-per-carry average was a small step forward from his 4.3 YPC as a rookie, but he took steps back in carries…read more

Zero carries in Week 17

Gainwell didn't carry the ball a single time in Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Saints but did catch a pair of passes for 17 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell saw the field for just 15 offensive snaps, fewer than not just Miles Sanders but also Boston Scott. Because the Eagles will need to play their starters Week 18, as they've yet to clinch the division title, Gainwell should remain off the fantasy radar.

Eight touches in loss

Gainwell rushed four times for 17 yards and caught all four of his targets for 41 yards in Saturday's 40-34 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: While starting running back Miles Sanders handled the bulk of the carries out of the backfield, Gainwell was more involved in the passing game. The 23-year-old played 30 offensive snaps, while Sanders was on the field for 38 snaps. This was Gainwell's largest snap total of the season, though it remains to be seen if Philadelphia would rely on more of a split in playing time between the Eagles' top two backs. Nonetheless, Gainwell would be very difficult to trust for fantasy purposes while…read more

Five touches in Week 15 win

Gainwell rushed three times for five yards and caught two passes for nine yards in Sunday's win over the Bears.

Analysis: Gainwell didn't have a particularly notable game, though it was at least a step up from his one-touch, zero-yard performance the previous week. More significantly, he saw the field for 29 offensive snaps compared to just four for No. 3 running back Boston Scott. Should the Eagles clinch the top seed in the NFC next week, they may elect to rest their starters, with Gainwell seemingly in line to benefit.

Barely used in blowout win

Gainwell did not receive a single carry in Sunday's 48-22 win over the Giants and gained zero yards on his lone reception.

Analysis: Backups often can see a respectable workload in lopsided games like this one, but that wasn't the case for Gainwell. He only saw the field for 12 offensive snaps, the same number as fellow depth running back Boston Scott. Scott wound up with seven touches to Gainwell's one, though Gainwell still has a narrow 55-48 edge on the season overall.

Six touches in blowout win

Gainwell gained 15 yards on three carries and added 38 more yards on a trio of receptions in Sunday's 35-10 win over Tennessee.

Analysis: Gainwell averaged 3.9 touches through the Eagles' first 10 games, but he's now averaged 7.5 touches across the team's last two contests. While that's a noticeable trend in the right direction, Gainwell's workload remains far too low for him to be a reliable fantasy option.

Contributes to big team performance

Gainwell carried the ball eight times for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Packers, adding one catch for seven more yards.

Analysis: Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders received the bulk of the Eagles' carries and gained the bulk of the team's yards on the ground as usual Sunday, but on a day in which Philadelphia rushed for 363 yards, there was plenty of action to go around. Gainwell's carries and yards both represented season highs. While the Eagles do have the capability to go off like they did against Green Bay on occasion and could do so again, they're unlikely to do so frequently enough to make Gainwell a reliable option.…read more

Gains zero yards

Gainwell carried the ball once for zero yards and wasn't targeted with any passes in Sunday's win against Indianapolis.

Analysis: He saw the field for just 11 offenses snaps, fewer even than fellow depth running back Boston Scott (13 snaps). Scott also received five touches compared to just one for Gainwell. Gainwell has now received just one carry in three of the last four weeks and hasn't carried the ball more than five times in any game this season.

Touches ball twice

Gainwell finished with one carry for seven yards and one catch for five yards in Monday's loss to the Commanders.

Analysis: After tying his season high with seven touches and a score in Week 9, Gainwell tied his season low with just two touches in Week 10. He continues to have minimal fantasy relevance and doesn't even produce all that many points when he happens to find the end zone, as his workload is simply too small.

Produces 38 total yards, TD, in win

Gainwell rushed four times for 22 yards and a touchdown and brought in all three targets for 16 yards in the Eagles' 29-17 win over the Texans on Thursday night.

Analysis: Gainwell was able to complement backfield mate Miles Sanders' strong night on the ground (17-93-1) with his third rushing touchdown of the season on a four-yard run in the latter portion of the second quarter. Gainwell remains firmly behind Sanders in the backfield pecking order, but his season-high reception and receiving yardage totals combined with the score made it the second-year back's best fantasy performance of the season overall.

Receives just one carry

Gainwell carried the ball once for three yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh.

Analysis: The Eagles won by a comfortable 35-13 score, but it was Boston Scott, not Gainwell, who got the garbage-time carries. Gainwell saw the field for just 14 offensive snaps and remains far from a fantasy-relevant role.

Sets season high with 25 yards

Gainwell rushed for a season-high 25 yards on five carries in Sunday's win over the Cowboys.

Analysis: Gainwell got the Eagles into the red zone to set up their first score with a nine-yard rush late in the first quarter, but his overall impact on the game remained small even in a season-best performance. He only saw the field for 17 offensive snaps, well below Miles Sanders' 44, with the Eagles showing no inclination to move to a more even split.

Logs full practice Thursday

Gainwell (ribs) practiced fully Thursday.

Analysis: After having a cap on his reps Wednesday due to a rib injury, Gainwell returned to all activity one day later. He's thus in line to resume serving as the No. 2 running back for the Eagles behind Miles Sanders. The role hasn't amounted to much work, as Gainwell is averaging 4.4 touches for 18.6 yards from scrimmage on 19.2 offensive snaps per game, though he has managed to score a pair of rushing TDs through five contests.

Dealing with rib injury

Gainwell was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a rib injury.

Analysis: Gainwell's ability to practice at all at the start of the week suggests he's on track to play Sunday against the Cowboys. The Eagles are also expected to have Boston Scott (rib) back in the lineup, though it's unclear if/how that affects Gainwell, given that most of Scott's usual workload simply went to starter Miles Sanders the past two weeks.

Still not getting opportunities

Gainwell carried the ball three times for 20 yards in Sunday's win over the Cardinals.

Analysis: The Eagles continue to have a very clear hierarchy at the running back position and don't appear to be interested in anything close to a committee. Even with Boston Scott out with a rib injury and replacement third-string option Trey Sermon claiming just three snaps, Gainwell was out-snapped by Miles Sanders by a 54-16 margin. The Eagles' rushing attack is potent enough that Gainwell instantly would become quite an interesting option should Sanders get hurt, but there's little reason to look…read more

Scores in small role

Gainwell carried the ball five times for 19 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's win over the Jaguars, adding one catch on two targets for a loss of two yards.

Analysis: Gainwell put the Eagles in front late in the first half with a 10-yard touchdown run, his second of the year. While he's now on pace for a respectable 8.5 touchdowns this season, he still isn't playing a major role in the Eagles offense. Even with Boston Scott out with a rib injury, Gainwell played 22 offensive snaps and received just six touches.

Three touches in Week 3

Gainwell carried the ball three times for six yards in Sunday's win over the Commanders.

Analysis: Gainwell was back to being the clear second running back this time around, as his 22 snaps were far fewer than Miles Sanders' 41 but far more than Boston Scott's seven. Despite those snaps, though, he again failed to play a significant role in the Eagles offense. Through three games, he's averaging 18.7 total yards on 4.3 touches per game. With the undefeated Eagles likely seeing little reason to shake up their game plan, it probably will take an injury to Sanders to give Gainwell fantasy…read more

Not used much in Week 2

Gainwell rushed twice for seven yards and pulled in one of his two targets for an 11-yard reception in Monday's win over the Vikings.

Analysis: Gainwell looked like the clear No. 2 back on the Eagles' depth chart in Week 1, but he wasn't significantly ahead of Boston Scott this time around. He only had a small edge over Scott in snaps (19 to 15), while Scott beat him in touches (five to three). Gainwell didn't help his case by missing a screen pass midway through the fourth quarter, with the ball deflecting off him for a Jordan Hicks interception, something which could potentially tilt things in Scott's favor going forward.

Starts season with score

Gainwell rushed five times for 20 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's Week 1 win over the Lions, adding 12 more yards while pulling in two of four targets.

Analysis: Gainwell was used as the clear No. 2 back behind Miles Sanders, with Sanders receiving roughly twice as many snaps (40-23) and roughly twice as many touches (15-7). That limits Gainwell's fantasy value for now, though he's set up well to be the primary beneficiary of any future Sanders injury, as he clearly was ahead of Boston Scott, who received 14 snaps and four touches. All three running backs rushed for a touchdown, with Gainwell's extending the Eagles' lead to 17 on the first drive of the…read more

Little room in preseason finale

Gainwell recorded two rushes for zero yards in Saturday's 48-10 preseason loss to the Dolphins. He added two receptions for eight yards.

Analysis: Gainwell was the first back on the field, though most of Philadelphia's starting skill-position players sat. He wasn't particularly impressive but did show more explosiveness in the team's second preseason game. Gainwell should enter the regular season as the backup to Miles Sanders (hamstring) in the backfield.

Scores vs. Browns

Gainwell rushed 11 times for 46 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-20 preseason win over the Browns.

Analysis: Gainwell saw Boston Scott start at running back and cap Philadelphia's opening drive with a one-yard touchdown. Once he was called on for the Eagles' second series, however, Gainwell made his presence felt. In fact, all 11 of his carries came on that drive, which he punctuated with a two-yard score of his own. In doing so, Gainwell made a good impression after missing the team's preseason opener with a hip issue, which should help his case to serve as Miles Sanders' (hamstring) top understudy…read more

Practicing Sunday

Gainwell (hip) returned to practice Sunday, Chris Franklin of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Gainwell missed Friday's preseason matchup with the Jets due to a hip issue, but it appears like he avoided a major injury and will look to return to action for Week 2 of the preseason. Fellow running backs Boston Scott (concussion) and Miles Sanders (leg) currently are sidelined, so it's possible Gainwell heads into Sunday's exhibition contest against the Browns as the Eagles' No. 1 option ahead of Jason Huntley, Kennedy Brooks and DeAndre Torrey.

Not expected to play Friday

Gainwell (hip) isn't slated to play in Friday's preseason contest versus the Jets, Martin Frank of The Delaware News Journal reports.

Analysis: Gainwell was held out of Tuesday's practice due to a hip issue, which seemingly will keep him in street clothes for the Eagles' first exhibition. With Boston Scott currently in the concussion protocol, Miles Sanders, Jason Huntley, Kennedy Brooks and DeAndre Torrey are the team's options out of the backfield Friday.

Dealing with hip issue

Gainwell is not practicing Tuesday due to a hip injury, Zach Berman of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Gainwell has spent training camp rotating in for first-team snaps and appeared primed for a key role on offense behind starting running back Miles Sanders, but his status for Friday's preseason opener against the Jets now looks uncertain. The severity of the second-year pro's hip injury hasn't yet been disclosed.

Set for meaningful role

Gainwell will have a role in the Eagles' offense this season, though Miles Sanders remains the team's top running back, Bo Wulf of The Athletic Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: The Eagles have rotated Gainwell, Sanders and Boston Scott through reps with the first-team offense in practice, but head coach Nick Sirianni made it clear that Sanders is still the starter. Gainwell had 68 carries and 33 catches as a rookie, reaching double-digit touches five times.

Gets involved in postseason loss

Gainwell rushed the ball one time for six yards in Sunday's 31-15 loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round. He added five receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown.

Analysis: Gainwell was the most productive running back for Philadelphia on Sunday, thanks in large part to game script. He had only two receptions for three yards in the first half, but he picked up gains of 20 and 16 yards as a receiver in the fourth quarter -- the latter of which went for a touchdown. Besides games when the Eagles' running back depth chart was depleted, Gainwell struggled to receive consistent touches in his rookie season. However, with Jordan Howard hitting unrestricted free agency…read more

Buried on depth chart once again

Gainwell is likely to see limited use out of the backfield during Sunday's wild-card game at Tampa Bay with Miles Sanders (hand) cleared to return from a two-game absence and with Boston Scott (illness) and Jordan Howard (illness) available following one-game absences, Mike Kaye of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Analysis: While all of Sanders, Scott and Howard were sidelined for Week 18, Gainwell stepped into a lead role for Philadelphia in the team's blowout loss to the Cowboys in the regular-season finale, finishing with 12 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown to go with four receptions for nine yards on seven targets. Considering he had picked up just one carry in each of the previous three games before Week 18, Gainwell likely won't have much of a role in the ground attack now that the Eagles are back to…read more

Productive versus Cowboys

Gainwell rushed 12 times for 78 yards and a touchdown and caught four of seven targets for nine yards in Saturday's 51-26 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: Gainwell was effective while starting at tailback, gaining 63 of his yards on the ground in the first half. That total included Gainwell's seven-yard touchdown run during the second quarter, giving him six touchdowns on his rookie campaign. Although Gainwell was heavily involved Saturday, it'll be interesting to see how the Eagles split their backfield snaps in next weekend's playoff game, when fellow running backs Boston Scott and Jordan Howard could potentially return from the…read more

Added work on tap in Week 18

Gainwell is in line for an increased workload Saturday night against the Cowboys, per Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia, with Miles Sanders (hand) out and Boston Scott (illness) and Jordan Howard (illness) still on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Analysis: Also in the team's backfield mix versus Dallas will be Jason Huntley, who is up from the practice squad to work in tandem with Gainwell on Saturday. In a game where multiple key Philadelphia players figure to be sidelined or limited, Gainwell has a chance to earn enough Week 18 volume to merit fantasy lineup (or DFS) consideration for those scrambling for a running back option.

Increase in work possible Saturday

Gainwell could be in line for an elevated workload Saturday against the Cowboys with Miles Sanders (hand) ruled out and Boston Scott (illness) and Jordan Howard (illness) still on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Chris McPherson of the Eagles' official site reports.

Analysis: Fortunately for the Eagles, they have until 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday to activate Scott and/or Howard. If one or both are unable to do so, Gainwell is the only healthy running back on the active roster and would be poised to take on more snaps and reps out of the backfield Saturday night. The rookie fifth-round pick has averaged 3.8 yards on his 56 carries, gathered in 29 of 43 targets for 244 yards and totaled five touchdowns in 15 appearances. To bolster its depth behind Gainwell, the team may…read more

Just one touch in win

Gainwell took his lone carry for four yards in Sunday's 20-16 win over the Football Team.

Analysis: Gainwell played just eight snaps on offense, even with Miles Sanders out due to a broken hand. It marks the third straight game for the rookie of under 10 offensive snaps played.

Returns to full practice

Gainwell (ankle) practiced fully Thursday.

Analysis: The Eagles backfield is in flux this week with Miles Sanders sidelined due to a broken hand and Jordan Howard tending to a stinger. Sanders won't play Sunday at Washington, while Howard has one limited session under his belt so far this week. If Howard is able to play through his issue, he'd join Boston Scott as the likeliest of the team's running backs to earn snaps and touches. However, if Howard is limited or out, Gainwell is the next RB up. In 14 appearances as a fifth-round rookie,…read more

Limited with minor ankle injury

Gainwell was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury.

Analysis: Fellow running backs Jordan Howard (neck) and Miles Sanders (hand) both missed practice, with the latter already having been ruled out for Sunday's game against Washington. Boston Scott will likely operate as the Eagles' lead runner if Howard is also out, but Gainwell could also have a significant role, assuming his ankle injury is minor. His ability to practice in any capacity Wednesday suggests that's likely the case.

Invisible in win

Gainwell caught his only target for six yards in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Giants.

Analysis: The rookie played just two offensive snaps in the game, even after Miles Sanders (hand) and Jordan Howard (neck) left early. With Sanders already ruled out for Week 17 and Howard questionable, however, Gainwell and Boston Scott should each see more work against Washington.

Takes advantage of opportunity

Gainwell carried the ball 12 times for 54 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 33-18 win over the Jets. He added five receptions for 33 yards.

Analysis: Gainwell worked as the backup to Miles Sanders with Jordan Howard (knee) inactive and Boston Scott (illness) seemingly not at full strength. As a result, he saw the second-highest carry total of his career and had by far his most productive day on the ground in terms of total yards. The highlight of his performance came late in the second quarter when he reached the end zone on an 18-yard scamper during which he ducked through several defenders. Gainwell also tallied multiple receptions for the…read more

Sees just 11 snaps in loss

Gainwell caught three of his four targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 13-7 loss to the Giants.

Analysis: Gainwell didn't get his name in the box score until the second half, nor did his usage increase much after Miles Sanders left with an ankle injury. The rookie never saw a carry in the game, and he played only 11 snaps as most of the work fell to Boston Scott with Sanders out. Nevertheless, if both Sanders and Jordan Howard (knee) end up being unable to go in Week 13, Gainwell would likely see more work behind Scott.

Healthy scratch Sunday

Gainwell (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Saints.

Analysis: Gainwell will be the odd man out with the return of Miles Sanders (ankle) from injured reserve. After Gainwell carved out a solid change-of-pace role in the Eagles offense to begin the campaign, the absence of Sanders for the past three contests didn't result in any increase in the rookie's usage. Instead, more opportunities became available for Jordan Howard and Boston Scott, who performed well enough to move ahead of Gainwell on the depth chart.

Invisible again in win

Gainwell rushed twice for five yards and caught his lone target for nine yards in Sunday's 30-13 win over the Broncos.

Analysis: It was thought after Miles Sanders hit IR with an ankle injury that Gainwell would at the very least be the third-down back and see his duties expand in the passing game, if not be the lead back altogether. Instead, Jordan Howard and Boston Scott have handled almost the entire load. With Sanders eligible to return as soon as Week 11 and Howard having likely earned the right to stay on the roster, the rookie may not see meaningful opportunities unless the Eagles fall out of contention for a…read more

Finds end zone on just two touches

Gainwell rushed twice for three yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Gainwell finished off a drive late in the third quarter to put the Eagles up 17-16. He would not register any other stats in the contest as he once again ran behind Jordan Howard and Boston Scott, who each saw double-digit carries. None of them were targeted in the passing game.

Afterthought in blowout win

Gainwell rushed 13 times for 27 yards in Sunday's 44-6 win over the Lions.

Analysis: Gainwell looked like a prime candidate to lead the rushing attack with Miles Sanders (ankle) on IR, and the box score would appear to confirm that idea. The rookie had one more carry than Boston Scott and Jordan Howard each did. However, all but one of Gainwell's touches came in the fourth quarter with the Eagles up 38-0, and he wasn't nearly as effective with the rock as the other backs. While the Eagles have a nice matchup against a struggling Chargers run defense in Week 9, Gainwell seems to…read more

May not receive starting assignment

Gainwell was seen taking snaps after Boston Scott, who is working with the starters in pregame warmups ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions, Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Analysis: With Miles Sanders (ankle) sidelined for at least three games after landing on injured reserve, more opportunities should open up for both Scott and Gainwell. Though Gainwell has routinely outpaced Scott in snaps and touches in every game this season, the distribution of the work between the two could be more even Sunday. While Scott looks to be trending toward getting the start, that shouldn't be taken as a sign that he'll be the clear No. 1 option out of the backfield. When Sanders was…read more

Filling in for Miles Sanders

Gainwell likely will be the Eagles' top running back with Miles Sanders (ankle) ruled out for Sunday's game in Detroit, Bo Wulf and Zach Berman of The Athletic report.

Analysis: The rookie saw five carries and eight targets on 51 percent snap share in last week's loss to the Raiders, while Boston Scott got seven carries and two targets on 33 percent share. That was with Sanders playing most of the first quarter and taking seven touches of his own before the ankle injury, though for the most part his 2021 workload has been heavier on snaps than carries with QB Jalen Hurts dominating Philadelphia's offensive volume. It is possible coach Nick Sirianni makes more of an…read more

Finds end zone in loss

Gainwell carried the ball five times for 20 yards and caught four of eight targets for 41 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 33-22 loss to the Raiders.

Analysis: Miles Sanders left the game late in the first quarter with an ankle injury, and Gainwell split the backfield workload roughly equally with Boston Scott for the rest of the afternoon, with Gainwell's nine touches topping Scott by one. Both backs also found the end zone -- Scott on the ground, Gainwell through the air -- and if Sanders is sidelined for a Week 8 road clash against the Lions, the duo could well operate in a timeshare again.

No carries in loss

Gainwell caught one of his two targets for one yard in Thursday's 28-22 loss to the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Gainwell wasn't a part of the running game at all in this one and has seen his carries level out over the last four weeks after garnering 15 over the season's first two games. The rookie has now seen just six totes since Week 2 ended.

Just three touches in win

Gainwell rushed twice for 16 yards and caught one of his three targets for eight yards in Sunday's 21-18 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Coming off the biggest game of his young career, this certainly qualifies as a disappointing result for Gainwell. The Eagles did hardly any running in the first half though and only ended up with 22 carries total for the game -- nine of which belonged to Jalen Hurts. The rookie now has a tough matchup against Tampa Bay on Thursday night.

Outperforms Sanders in loss to KC

Gainwell rushed three times for 31 yards and a touchdown while catching six of eight targets for 58 yards in Sunday's 42-30 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: Gainwell outplayed the ineffective Miles Sanders, who mustered just 13 yards on seven carries. The rookie fifth-round pick found paydirt from seven yards early in the fourth quarter and now has two touchdowns while Sanders still hasn't scored this season. With a prominent role as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and as a rushing option in the red zone, Gainwell has established himself as an enticing fantasy option ahead of his team's Week 5 trip to Carolina.

Quiet in loss

Gainwell recorded one rush for two yards and caught three of his four targets for 32 yards in Monday's 41-21 loss to the Cowboys.

Analysis: Gainwell, like the rest of the Eagles offense, struggled to get anything going Monday night against the Cowboys defense. As the team's clear No. 2 running back, the rookie was the only other back to record a rushing attempt besides Miles Sanders, and Gainwell played on 31 percent of the team's offensive snaps compared to Boston Scott's seven percent share. Gainwell and the rest of the Eagles will look to turn things around as Kansas City come to town for a Week 4 showdown.

Eight touches in loss

Gainwell rushed six times for 14 yards and caught two of his three targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 17-11 loss to the 49ers.

Analysis: Like most of the Eagles offense, the rookie was largely contained on the day. The good news is he again operated as the clear top backup for Miles Sanders, as Boston Scott didn't even register a snap on offense. Gainwell should have more room to run in Week 3 against a more forgiving Dallas defense.

Tallies first touchdown

Gainwell recorded nine rushes for 37 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Week 1 win over Atlanta. He added two receptions on three targets for six yards.

Analysis: Gainwell worked behind Miles Sanders, but he was the clear backup option and was on the field for 35 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Meanwhile, Boston Scott only played on special teams. Gainwell found the end zone on an eight-yard score -- also his longest rush of the game -- for his first career touchdown, but he also had a four-yard trip to the end zone wiped out by a penalty. He once again should see a decent amount of work in a Week 2 matchup against the 49ers.

Productive in preseason finale

Gainwell carried the ball five times for 32 yards and a touchdown and caught all four of his targets for 27 yards in Friday's preseason tie against the Jets.

Analysis: Boston Scott played the first series of the night for the Eagles but then gave way to Gainwell, who capped the team's second drive with a TD plunge from the five-yard line. The 2021 fifth-round pick has looked good throughout camp and the preseason, but he seems stuck in the No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Miles Sanders and Scott heading into Week 1 against Atlanta.

Getting lots of different looks

In addition to lining up in the backfield, Gainwell has also seen time in the slot and out wide, Paul Domowitch of The Press of the Atlantic City reports.

Analysis: Gainwell's playmaking ability has been on display all preseason, most recently in the Eagles' loss to the Patriots on Thursday where he totaled 44 yards on eight touches, including three catches on three targets. The rookie fifth-rounder has also shown elusiveness as well as some chops in pass protection. It's looking increasingly likely he'll have a role in the Eagles offense when the regular season gets underway.

Mixing in with starters

Gainwell has been getting more first-team snaps in practice recently, Eliot Shorr-Parks of Sports Radio 94 WIP Philadelphia reports.

Analysis: The rookie fifth-round pick is still working behind Miles Sanders and Boston Scott but he at least mixes in with the starters from time to time. If nothing else, Gainwell appears on track for a roster spot, especially after the Eagles waived Kerryon Johnson (knee) earlier this week. Gainwell had two carries for 14 yards and two catches for 16 yards in Philly's preseason opener, and he should see more work Thursday against New England. Gainwell, Jordan Howard, Jason Huntley and Elijah Holyfield…read more

Four touches in preseason Week 1

Gainwell rushed twice for 14 yards and caught two of four targets for 16 yards in Thursday's 24-16 loss to Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Gainwell got some looks as both a rusher and a receiver, and that type of usage should remain a common theme throughout the preseason for the rookie fifth-round pick. With excellent hands and the ability to make people miss in space, Gainwell profiles as a change-of-pace running back and gadget guy. He could be a weapon on third down if he proves adept enough at pass blocking to be trusted with such a role. Gainwell should see more action in Week 2 of preseason against New England.