Is Ryan Mathews injured?
The Eagles ran the ball 30 times in a 34-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but starting running back Ryan Mathews rushed only twice and lost five yards.
The Eagles ran the ball 30 times in a 34-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but starting running back Ryan Mathews rushed only twice and lost five yards.
Coach Doug Pederson did not have information on Mathews' status after the game. He said he would have an update on Monday. Mathews has been working through an apparent ankle injury during the last two weeks. He has not missed any practice time, but one ankle was heavily taped in practice.
Rookie Wendell Smallwood led all rushers with 17 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown. Kenjon Barner rushed eight times for 42 yards and a touchdown. It was the first career touchdown runs for both players. They are the bottom two running backs on the Eagles' four-man depth chart but now have roles in the offense.
"It just feels good to finally get into a flow, get comfortable with the game and not be . . . a deer out there in headlights," Smallwood said.
All four running backs have at least 51 rushing yards in three games this season. The most rushing yards among the group is Mathews, with 104.
Sack happy
Fletcher Cox recorded two sacks on Sunday and has three sacks on the season. Brandon Graham's sack gives him one in each game this season. Bennie Logan tallied his first sack of 2016.
The pressure from the defensive line is required in this defense. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz relies on the line for the pressure and only blitzes in select situations. The Eagles have nine sacks this season from their linemen.
"It's a compliment," Cox said. "We know Coach Schwartz is not going to blitz. We know he likes to rush up. We have to have four, really eight, guys that are ready to rush. I think we did a great job of getting to the quarterback."
Sidelined
Linebacker Mychal Kendricks was active on Sunday even though he was listed as questionable with a broken nose and strained quadriceps.
The Eagles had the same seven inactives as Week 2: Tight end Zach Ertz; cornerback Leodis McKelvin; wide receiver Bryce Treggs; and offensive linemen Isaac Seumalo, Josh Andrews, Dillon Gordon and Halapoulivaati Vaitai.
Ertz (rib), McKelvin (hamstring), and Seumalo (pectoral) were all declared out on Friday. The other players were healthy scratches.
Wentz is first
The Eagles have won nine consecutive home games against the Steelers. They have not lost since 1965, and Pittsburgh doesn't visit again until 2024. . . . Carson Wentz is the first player in NFL history with 100-plus pass attempts, 60-plus completions, 5-plus touchdowns and no interceptions in his first three career games.
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