The frustrating road continued for Miles Sanders’ fantasy owners when he was carted to the locker room with an ankle injury during the Eagles’ loss to the Raiders. In his absence, Kenneth Gainwell narrowly led Boston Scott in snaps (34 to 23). However, it was Scott who out-carried Gainwell seven to five. Either way, it appears that Scott will get Sanders’ early-down role, while Gainwell will see the targets and some carries with Sanders’ sidelined. Either way, both Eagles’ running backs should be Week 8 waiver wire priorities.
Even before the injury, Gainwell was gaining steam on Sanders, and looking at Nick Sirianni’s history, it makes sense. He was on the Chargers’ staff during Danny Woodhead’s four years in San Diego and turned him into a legitimate weapon — especially as a pass-catcher. Then, Sirianni was on the Colts’ staff when the team drafted Nyheim Hines, who has also had success as a smaller pass-catcher.
“We kind of saw Kenny’s tape … and we were like, ‘Man, that’s the guy. That’s the guy that kind of fits that role of plays we’ve kind of schemed for guys like that who have had good success,’” Sirianni said of Gainwell.
“And then you see how strong he was with the ball in his hands. Like, he’s a strong dude. And he can break tackles. He’s just got good lower-body strength, good balance. And you saw that not only did he have that ability to make the play within the pass game but also in the run game.”
Thus far, Gainwell has seen a 13.7 percent target share, has run 74 routes, and has 19 receptions on the season. He’s also added 120 yards on the ground.
Then, we have Boston Scott.
Scott, who’s been a complete zero this season as the team’s third running back, should be the Eagles’ early-down back in the Sanders role. As noted, he saw seven carries during Sanders’ absence and should see double-digit touches while Sanders is out. But, the talent is there and Scott is coming off a career year where he racked up 374 rushing yards (4.7 YPC) and caught 25 balls.
Gainwell is the preferable option of the two and is available in 79 percent of leagues. Meanwhile, Scott (2 percent rostered) should be added as a Week 8 streamer and could be a solid flex option moving forward.
