Philadelphia added another running back to the roster on Thursday, claiming former Ohio State running back Trey Sermon off waivers from the 49ers.
The 23-year-old Sermon saw action in nine games (two starts) in his rookie season, logging 167 yards on 41 carries (4.1 yards per carry) and scoring one touchdown.
Sermon added three receptions for 26 yards.
With Sermon on the roster, Philadelphia now has four running backs, and the 6-0, 215-pound second-year running back will assume the role vacated by Jordan Howard.
Here are several takeaways and observations from the move.
Jalen Hurts has some pull within the NovaCare Complex
Call it coincidence, but Hurts now has several former college teammates on the roster, and it’s not just former Crimson Tide stars.
Grant Calcaterra, Sermon, and Kennedy Brooks all played with Hurts during his post-grad season at Oklahoma.
The moves coincide with the quarterback playing a role in Philadelphia landing A.J. Brown, along with drafting Landon Dickerson and DeVonta Smith.
Fantasy outlook
Sermon will take over Jordan Howard’s role, which could impact the fantasy football value for all four players.
Miles Sanders has yet to amass 1,000 yards in a single season, and the committee approach by the Eagles’ offense makes things even more unclear, especially now that the team will push the ball downfield more in the passing game.
Kenneth Gainwell’s role as a dual-threat will remain, while Boston Scott will deliver when called upon.
Sermon has fresh legs
A second-year pro, Sermon doesn’t have a huge amount of wear and tear as a running back.
Sermon gained 167 yards on 41 carries as a rookie. In 2020 during his only season at Ohio State, Sermon gained 870 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns in eight games.
At Oklahoma appeared in 37 games (15 starts) over three seasons, logging 2,076 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns to go along with 36 catches for 391 yards and three touchdowns.
