Kenjon Barner returns, and does he ever! | Bob Ford

The Eagles lost Darren Sproles, their best punt returner and most versatile running back, to wrist and knee injuries suffered on one fateful play against the New York Giants two weeks ago. When the organization looked for someone to replace him, particularly for punt returns, it seemed natural to bring in the guy Sproles mentored to think and play the game just like him.

Kenjon Barner – who was let go by the Eagles as a free agent after last season, who didn't make it through the final cuts with the Los Angeles Chargers this year – was the logical choice. He was the team's leading kickoff returner in 2016, but had only limited opportunity to return punts because, well, because the team had Sproles. But in practice every day, Barner had Sproles, too, and school was in session.

"He taught me how to be a professional, and how to study. He taught me that what you see on film might not be what you see on the field," Barner said. "He taught me how to approach it. Prior to me getting here and being around Sproles, I just went out there and caught punts from our punter and didn't really pay attention to the other team's punter. Obviously, you watch film, but I wouldn't actually watch him kick."

Barner's routine Sunday before the Eagles played the Cardinals was a reflection of Sproles' influence. As Arizona punter Andy Lee warmed up, Barner positioned himself just behind the Cardinals' returners fielding the balls, so he could get a good idea of what he would see during the game.

"I was back there with the Cardinals and I'm approaching the ball like I'm going to catch it. I'm not going to catch it, but I can get a feel for it, and that's what Sproles taught me," Barner said. "You see how he's hitting the ball. See how he's hitting his 50-plus kicks. See if he's mis-hitting balls. Watching film and knowing his track record, you know he's going to boom it. You know you're going to have an opportunity. But I like to get that visual up-close and personal."

Lee does boom the ball, just the way a returner wants him to kick it. He hits a deep spiral that is easy to catch, and he often hits it beyond his team's coverage range. The 14-year veteran came into Sunday's game ranked 11th in the league for overall average, but only 27th for net average, after returns are taken into account. Everything Barner knew about returning punts, much of which came from Sproles, told him he would have a chance against the Cardinals. After that, it was just a matter of taking advantage.

"I'm just thankful for this opportunity," Barner said after the game. "I'm extremely blessed to be back here with these guys, these coaches and this organization. It's amazing what can happen when you have a group of guys that believe in you."

Belief is great, but results are even better. Coming off a debut on the road against the Chargers in which Barner returned three punts for a total of 15 yards, the Eagles signed punt returner Rashard Davis to the practice squad just in case. With running back Wendell Smallwood out, Barner was listed as the kickoff and punt returner and he would be getting touches in the offense, as well. It wasn't exactly an experiment, but it wasn't a sure thing, either.

"I know what type of player I am, and I have the utmost confidence in myself and the abilities God blessed me with," Barner said. "Even [against the Chargers], it felt good to get my feet wet and get comfortable with the guys and the system again. I got back in the routine of things."

The day against the Cardinals started well for Barner as he took a Lee punt after the first Arizona possession and split two defenders before being tackled after a solid 19-yard gain that set up the Eagles at their own 46-yard line. But that return was quickly overshadowed when Barner pulled in another Lee boomer late in the first quarter, made the first man miss with a move to the outside, cut back between two potential tacklers, cut back again and then angled across the open field, left to right, shifting the ball from one arm to the other like a good running back, before being pulled down from behind after a 76-yard gain to the Arizona 15 that set up another touchdown.

Barner had one more punt return for 15 yards, didn't get a kickoff-return opportunity, and ran the ball on offense five times for 23 yards. The 76-yard punt return was the longest by an Eagle since, naturally, Sproles in the 2015 season.

"If you make that first guy miss, you can go a long way. With Sproles, it was very rare that first guy ever tackled him," Barner said. "Running back is what got me to this level, and some people say your mind-set changes when you return, but you don't forget who you are."

Barner did it all in four years under Chip Kelly at Oregon, and Kelly traded for him in 2014 after Barner's rookie season in Carolina. Barner was on the practice squad for most of 2014 and saw limited action in 2015 despite returning two punts for touchdowns in the preseason. He was the main kickoff returner last season before landing on injured reserve in December with a hamstring injury. The Eagles liked Smallwood as their kickoff returner, and they had Sproles for punts, so Barner was cut loose.

"I ended up here again, but whatever the plan was, I was open to it," Barner said.

It doesn't always work out, but Kenjon Barner did make it back, and in so many ways, so has a little piece of Darren Sproles.