Murray sits out practice with 'tweaked' hamstring

One day after DeMarco Murray left practice with a hamstring injury, the Eagles' struggling running back watched practice Thursday from the sideline. Murray's status for Sunday's game against the New York Jets remains in question because of a "tweaked" hamstring, as coach Chip Kelly termed it.

"We'll see what he does Friday and Saturday to make a determination whether he will play or not on Sunday," Kelly said.

Murray declined comment when approached after practice.

If Murray does not play, the Eagles will turn to Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles to try to jump-start the running game. The Eagles will also need more production from their wide receivers, who will see considerable man-to-man coverage from the Jets' blitz-happy defense.

Mathews, a former Pro Bowl player, signed with the Eagles during the offseason understanding that the team had already locked up Murray. He would be a situational player and injury insurance, and the insurance could pay off this week.

"You always have to have depth at running back and that was always the plan for us," Kelly said. "We have tremendous confidence in Ryan and also in Darren Sproles, if DeMarco can't go."

Kelly clarified that the comment did not mean Murray wouldn't play - just that the Eagles still like their backfield if he's out. Of course, it's not as if Murray is reminding anyone of 2014, when he led the NFL in rushing. Murray had 11 yards on 21 carries over the first two games. Sproles had six carries for 46 yards. Mathews had four carries for 4 yards.

The game plan also doesn't change much because Murray and Mathews are "similar-type players," Kelly said. It might be different if Sproles was the only other running back.

Sproles said the running backs would have major responsibilities in blitz pickup, because that's a big part of the Jets defense. Coach Todd Bowles, a former Temple standout and Eagles assistant, trusts Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie in man-to-man coverage and uses a talented front seven to try to disrupt the quarterback.

"I think one of the things they do is put the receivers on islands because of what they have back there," Kelly said. "When you have Revis and Cromartie and [slot cornerback Buster] Skrine, you have three pretty talented guys right there. That's a huge matchup, I think, for any team.

". . . But you've got to be able to capitalize on that, because you know what you're getting for coverage."

Kelly said in the past that the Eagles need receivers who can get open in man-to-man coverage. Jordan Matthews has been the team's top receiver this season out of the slot, but the Eagles need more from first-round pick Nelson Agholor and fellow outside receivers Riley Cooper and Josh Huff.

"Obviously, we get man every day in practice," Agholor said. "They're going to do what they do, and we're going to have to make plays. . . . The challenge will be there because they have great corners. But you've got to make the plays that come your way.'

The passing game's success could depend on the health of Revis, perhaps the finest cornerback in the NFL. He was a limited participant in practice Thursday after missing Wednesday with a groin injury. Revis, a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time all-pro, has three fumble recoveries and one interception this year. The Jets forced 10 turnovers during the first two weeks.

"That's one of our core characteristics, creating turnovers," Revis said during a Wednesday conference call. "The first two weeks have been awesome for us in that department."

Revis' coverage skills created the "Revis Island" reputation and allow the Jets to blitz. Revis spent time on all of the Colts' wide receivers in the win Monday over the Indianapolis Colts. Huff said Revis' patience in coverage is an attribute that players can appreciate.

"Everything as far as slants, routes that come his way, he's very patient at the release point," Huff said. "Even Cromartie. He's long, and if he gets his hands on you, it's pretty much over. So as receivers, we have to do a good job of knowing our matchup."

The receiving game is tied into the running game, though. Defensive coordinators have not needed to bring their safeties closer to the line of scrimmage because the Eagles have not been much of a threat running the ball. Murray failed to reach pasy the line of scrimmage on nine of his carries this season.

There are still two days of practice for Kelly to determine if Murray will play on Sunday. If not, Mathews and Sproles will need to invigorate the rushing game and pick up the Jets' blitzes, which could also help the passing game improve.

"What we have to do is be able to run the ball vs. a six-man box," Kelly said. "But we haven't in either game we played, whether it be Dallas or Atlanta, seen an extra defender in the box because we didn't run the ball well enough to get that extra defender in the box."

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm