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Questions Surrounding Eagles' Running Backs Continue

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Few tears were shed by most Eagles fans when DeMarco Murray was traded in the off-season. It's now up to Doug Pederson to figure out what to do with this year's edition of the running backs.

Ryan Mathews returns after averaging five yards per carry last season, but the injury-prone Mathews has already miss time during training camp with an ankle problem. The team gave veteran Darren Sproles a one-year extension on Friday, and Sproles can still be a key contributor this season. However, Sproles isn't able to be an every down back at this stage of his career. There is also Kenjon Barner, fifth-round pick Wendell Smallwood and rookies Cedric O'Neal and Byron Marshall.

So will it be running back by committee or running back by health this season?

"We've got a lot of talent right there," said Pederson. "We've got some young talent. Kenjon Barner is a kid that has shown some good strides this off-season picking up the offense, and you've got Ryan out there. You've got Darren and then you've got the young kids. I like playing with double halfbacks. It's a chance to get all these guys some reps down the stretch now during this tough time."

A healthy season from Mathews would be a big boost to the rushing attack. So far, Mathews has been forced to watch practice from the sidelines.

"He has an ankle," Pederson said. "He did it working out in California, actually, so, he has that ankle. We're just treating it day by day. It's getting better and we anticipate next week at some point."

Sproles will be in the Eagles backfield through 2017. Many believe Sproles wasn't used enough in Chip Kelly's offense last season, but Sproles is expected to get his share of work under the new coaching staff. Pederson and General Manager Howie Roseman were both happy to extend the veteran's time with the team.

"Darren Sproles is a pro's pro," said Pederson. "He knows how to take care of his body in the off-season. He's a very intelligent running back. He's been around this game a long time. It's guys like that that you don't worry about. He does everything right. He does what you coach him to do."

""You talk about leadership and work ethic and character," Roseman said. "And then production...he's made the last two Pro Bowls. He just exemplifies everything that we want to be. He's so important to this team on and off the field."

Sproles will have to play an important role this season as the Eagles look to sort out their backfield rotation. Meanwhile, younger players such as Wide Receiver Jordan Matthews will continue to use the veteran as a role model both on and off the field.

"You look at all of our backs," said Matthews. "They're versatile guys and they can all learn from Sproles. They've got some shiftiness to them. I think all of those guys can learn a lot from Sproles. I'd learn from him if I was an RB."

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