DeMarco Murray has gone from NFL leading rusher to backup running back in the matter of a year. While the rusher was not having the best season following up his dominating 2014 performance, he also is not getting the chances to show what he can do, something highlighted by the 14 snaps he got in Week 13. Now unhappy with his role on the team, head coach Chip Kelly is trying to calm the waves in Philadelphia.
Murray did not start the game against the New England Patriots. With Ryan Mathews out with a concussion, Darren Sproles got the nod and Murray was active on just 14 snaps. That was not the game the running backs was expecting to have and he is not happy. According to ESPN's Ed Werder, Murray went to owner Jeffrey Lurie to complain about his lack of time on the field and address his frustrations over the offense. According to Werder, Murray does not want to cause a scene, but he is unhappy with what is happening. Kelly tried to downplay the idea saying that everyone is evaluated on a weekly basis.
"It's as big a group of linebackers as you're going to face," Kelly said, via The Philadelphia Inquirer. "And then we just kind of -- as the game expressed itself -- (went) with the hot hand. And we used all three. DeMarco had a big run on the inside zone on that 13-play drive. Every week is an evaluation. Every week is you get an opportunity to show us what you can do. We brought Jonathan Krause in there for a reason. We thought he was a really good player. We brought him up for a reason, too. It wasn't just, 'Let's reward a guy.'"
There is a chance that Mathews is cleared to play in Week 14 against the Bills which will put Kelly in another tough situation. Sproles did a good job as the starter and Mathews has impressed when given the ball. Could this mean Murray is back on the bench again? The Eagles are still very alive in the playoff hunt for the NFC East especially with the Washington Redskins losing to the Dallas Cowboys. The pressure is on to put the best players on the field and if Kelly does not feel that is Murray then he will not be out there.
Right now it is clear the offense has its favorites. Sam Bradford looked every bit the star quarterback in Week 13. He made good work with Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz while utilizing the versatility that Sproles brings to the field. That could be the story again against the Bills.
