Instant analysis: Eagles bringing back former RB Jordan Howard

NFL: NOV 03 Bears at Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 03: Philadelphia Eagles Running Back Jordan Howard (24) rushes for a first down during the game between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles on November 3, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

According to Field Yates, the Philadelphia Eagles are bringing in a familiar name for a workout. That man is RB Jordan Howard.

Ian Rapoport later followed up by saying that Howard will be joining the team’s practice squad following a successful COVID-19 test.

Howard was recently waived by the Dolphins after a dismal season where he was swallowed by nearly every other running back on the depth chart. He looked to have lost a step in Miami. His biggest game was against Airzona, where he rushed for 19 yards and averaged 1.9 yards per carry. He tallied 32 in total through 5 games on 28 carries.

The Dolphins signed Howard to a two-year $9.75M contract this offseason following an explosive first 8 games in Philadelphia. Howard averaged a career-high in yards per carry before his injury, and ended his shortened season with 525 rushing yards, 69 yards through the air and seven total touchdowns, including a hat-trick against the Green Bay Packers.

An area where Jordan Howard has excelled for a while is pass-protection and it’s something the Eagles are lacking massively. There were several miscommunications last week on blitz-pickups that ended with Carson Wentz being plowed by the Giants’ defensive front. If Howard were to sign a new deal, he would be an instant upgrade in this area.

In terms of risk, there isn’t much of one here. Howard was the perfect running back for a ‘thunder and lightning’ combo with Miles Sanders. The Eagles didn’t want to pay a free agent running back more than a veteran’s minimum, and now they wouldn’t have to. If it doesn’t work out, they’ve lost nothing. If it does, Jordan Howard rejoins a familiar offense where he had plenty of success, does so on a cheap deal, and provides the Eagles with some much-needed help in pass protection.

Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire