We are four seasons into Kenneth Gainwell's Eagles career, so what he's doing now is no surprise. Gainwell's 60 scrimmage yards in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh gained a lot of attention for all the right reasons. He ran hard and with purpose. He was a weapon in the passing game with some clutch catch-and-runs. And he was on point with his blocking in pass protection.

As Kenneth Gainwell does.

And has been doing since the Eagles selected him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft after his career at Memphis.

"When you get called, you go out and play football," he said. "That's the game. That's our job. So, that's the process of playing football. Soaking it all in. I'm enjoying the opportunities that I get and just going out there and ballin' and having fun with it."

The Eagles have carved out a role for the very talented Gainwell that has been remarkably consistent for four seasons. In 2021 and 2022, he backed up Miles Sanders and played right around 28 percent of the snaps, averaging 4.4-ish yards per carry and contributing in the passing game. Last season, with D'Andre Swift on board, Gainwell inched up his touches to 84 carries and 30 receptions to gain 547 yards from scrimmage. Both Sanders and Swift earned Pro Bowl spots, and Gainwell was a valued No. 2 in the backfield.

With Saquon Barkley tearing it up this year, Gainwell has had 57 carries for 265 yards and a score, along with 12 receptions for 96 yards.

"We're going to need him to keep making plays," quarterback Jalen Hurts said.

The mantra with this team is to know your role and to be a star in that role, and Gainwell has certainly followed that path.

"I've had to be patient and that's fine, and if there is a larger role, I'm willing," he said. "When my time to play comes, I'm ready for it. We're winning games and that is what is most important. I know I've improved a lot in every part of my game – understanding the game and being patient are probably two of the most important things – and that's what It's like when you're on a team.

"There is a little bit of ego involved, but you have to put that aside. It has not been my time to be the main guy. If it happens, I'll be ready to do it. We've had a lot of talented players in that (running back) room and I know that makes me a better player. Every time I'm out there, I think I'm going to make plays."

Gainwell, of course, was part of the 2022 Super Bowl run and he remembers how last season ended, so those learning experiences help in this 12-2 2024 campaign.

"You've just got to keep playing ball," he said. "Every team is a great team in this league and so you have to be at your best at all times. That's what makes it so challenging and so fun."