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DeMarco Murray Says He's OK With His Workload

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray is saying all the right things.

Murray, who had just two carries for 3 yards in the Eagles' 40-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, said he just cares about winning and does not care how many carries he gets.

"I just want to win," the running back, who led the NFL in rushing with the Dallas Cowboys in 2014, said Tuesday. "That's what bothers me more than anything, that we've lost some games."

The Eagles, who signed Murray to a $40 million contract with $21 million guaranteed as a free agent during the offseason, are 6-8 after consecutive 10-6 seasons in coach Chip Kelly's first two years.

Still the Eagles remain alive for their second NFC East title in three years, if they can beat the Washington Redskins on Saturday night and the New York Giants a week from Sunday.

"At the end of the day, we are in a position to make the playoffs," Murray said. "I think that is where a lot of people's focuses are. I'm not worried about how many plays I am getting. Whenever I get in, whenever I get an opportunity, I have to make the most of it.

"I can only control, what I can control."

Through the first month of the season Murray was bothered by a hamstring injury and he shared time with teammates Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles.

From Week 5 through 9, Murray became the Eagles' featured back, carrying 20, 21, 18, 18, and 22 times. In those five games he gained 404 of his 606 yards on the season.

The past five weeks he carried just a total of 48 times, including last week's season-low two carries.

Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur tried to explain the running back situation which has gone from Murray to a committee of Murray, Mathews and Sproles to more or less Mathews and Sproles.

"If we had one running back that was far and away better than the other ones, then you would see probably a guy get the very, very most of the snaps," Shurmur said. "We just happen to have guys that we think are good and we don't mind when they're in there.

"I think Ryan (Mathews) was in the game, and he had over 5 yards a carry. Darren (Sproles) didn't really get as much going running the ball, but he's certainly a threat when you pass it.

"Had we been able to run the ball more and get more plays, we were down around 60 plays, you know, they had one running back that carried in the high 20s. But they had way more plays. The score was more in their favor. They didn't have to throw it as much."

NOTES: Three Eagles missed practice for a third straight day, special teams player Seyi Ajirotutu (ankle), defensive tackle Bennie Logan (leg) and cornerback Byron Maxwell (shoulder).

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