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Eagles' Wendell Smallwood: Could benefit from Mathews' expected departure

With Ryan Mathews (neck) likely to be released, Smallwood (knee) and Darren Sproles will be left as the leaders of the Philadelphia backfield, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Analysis:

The Eagles are expected to release Mathews once he can pass a physical, which could be a matter of weeks or months. Smallwood and Sproles both figure to have roles next season, but the team likely also hopes to acquire a bigger back to replace Mathews -- be it through free agency or the draft. Smallwood had 77 carries for 312 yards (4.1 YPC) and a touchdown in 13 games as a rookie, adding six catches for 55 yards on 12 targets. He missed the final three weeks of the year with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, but the issue should clear up before the start of OTAs, if it hasn't healed already. Smallwood's 2017 outlook largely will depend on Philadelphia's other transactions in the coming months.

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