By Peter Gleason
The Eagles ended their search for a bruising running back to replace LeGarrette Blount by signing Matt Jones to a two-year contract.
He has played three seasons in the NFL, rushing for 964 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and six touchdowns.
Jones (6-2, 239) won the big back bake-off between Terrance West, whom the Eagles worked out on Tuesday.
A third-round pick of the Washington Redskins in 2015, the 25-year old Jones had a strong rookie season, having 144 carries for 490 yards and three touchdowns (3.4 yards per carry) and 19 catches for 304 yards and a touchdown (16.0 yards per catch).
An injured knee set Jones to the bench in 2016, as Robert Kelley and Chris Thompson emerged in his absence. Jones started seven games, rushing for 460 yards and three touchdowns (averaging 4.6 yards per carry). He was cut by the Redskins on 53-man cutdown day in 2017 and signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jones was released by the Colts twice in 2017, playing five games and running for just 14 yards. The Colts waived him on May 1, which the Eagles quickly picked him up.
The Eagles now have Jones, Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and Darren Sproles.
Which probably means there’s no room for Wendell Smallwood (above) and Donnel Pumphrey.
Jones will have an outside shot at the Eagles 53-man roster, using his pass-catching ability as a ticket toward making the team.
The Eagles kept five running backs on the 53-man last season and may do id Jones impresses over the next four months.
