Miles Sanders is ready. He wants everything the Eagles can throw at him on Sunday when he makes his 2020 debut against the visiting Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field. And he can't wait to get it rolling after missing last Sunday's opener with a hamstring injury.
"I feel 100 percent. I'm ready to go," Sanders said, who added "I hope not" when asked if the coaching staff might limit his workload. "I'm willing to do whatever the coaches (say), whatever is in the best interest for me and for the team. I'm ready to do whatever."
Sanders watched the loss to Washington from his couch at home. Like all of us, he felt the pain.
"It wasn't a good feeling at all," he said. "I didn't like it at all. All I can say is, I'm trusting the training staff for keeping me out for an extra week to get me as healthy as possible. They'd rather have me for 15 (games) instead of just one."
Sanders accounted for 1,641 all-purpose yards and 1,327 yards from scrimmage in his 2019 rookie season, the most among NFL first-year players and an Eagles franchise rookie record. His 818 rushing yards also set an Eagles rookie record, topping the 637 yards LeSean McCoy gained in 2009.
Running the football is vital to keep the offense balanced, and it's something the Eagles didn't do well last week in the 27-17 loss. Philadelphia gained just 57 yards on 17 carries at Washington.
Sanders wants to be more disciplined in the running game and be more decisive and downhill, and he wants to contribute in the passing game, of course. He's also going to be a big part of the pass protection and given the fact that the Eagles allowed eight quarterback sacks last week, that's every bit as important as the yards he gains running the ball.
"I can't play unless I protect 11 (quarterback Carson Wentz), so my job is to be dialed in, locked in with the offensive line to keep that pocket as solid as possible for 11," Sanders said, "so we can keep rolling and be the offense I know that we can be.
"I'm extremely excited and I think everybody else on the team can say that, too. I'm just trying to bring that energy this week, a different spark to the offense. Do whatever I can do to help bring us a W this week."
