Tag: Gainwell

Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) after the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Super Bowl injury report: Two Eagles upgraded to full participants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (illness) and running back Kenny Gainwell (concussion, knee) ramped up from limited participants in Wednesday’s practice to full participants on Thursday, according to the penultimate Super Bowl LIX injury report.

Carter popped up on the injury report earlier in the week with an illness that is reportedly going through the Eagles’ locker room. The Pro Bowler had 4.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss in the regular season and added two sacks in the Eagles’ divisional round win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Presuming he plays, this will be the 23-year-old’s first Super Bowl. He was selected ninth overall in the 2023 draft, months after the Eagles fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII.

Gainwell, 25, had 75 carries for 290 yards and one touchdown in a backup role behind Saquon Barkley this season. He’s had seven carries for 32 yards through three playoff games, as well as three receptions for 26 yards.

Defensive end Brandon Graham (elbow) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) remained limited Thursday. Reserve offensive lineman Nick Gates, who’s yet to be active for a playoff game, was also limited by a groin issue.

The only change on the Chiefs’ side of the report was the addition of punter Matt Araiza (illness), but Araiza was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.

Receiver Skyy Moore (abdomen), who could be activated from injured reserve before the game, was limited for a second straight day. Three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes was a full participant again as he nurses an ankle that he sprained on Dec. 15 against Cleveland. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) also practiced in full.

The final practice report, which comes with game designations for players as applicable, is due out Friday afternoon.

–Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce speaks with the media after the first day of training camp at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia on July 26, 2023.

Jason Kelce admits ‘cheap shot’ sparked Eagles-Colts practice fight

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles’ joint practice with the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday was cut short by a sideline-clearing brawl.

Veteran Eagles center Jason Kelce later owned up to blindsiding Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin at the end of a play. The ensuing melee between the two clubs led to an early end to the practice, the final one of training camp before they play a preseason finale Thursday.

Reports from the scene said that Franklin delivered two big hits on Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell. After the second, Kelce laid a hit on an unsuspecting Franklin.

Kelce called his actions a “cheap shot” and said he felt ashamed he let his frustration get the better of him.

“That certainly doesn’t belong out there on the field and just a little bit ashamed that it got to that level and that I did what I did,” Kelce said, “so certainly not happy about that, and I think very highly of the guys that were out there.”

Kelce added that he did not meet with Franklin to clear the air after practice because tensions between the Eagles and Colts may have still been too high.

“Forty-four, Zaire (Franklin), I think he’s a tremendous player,” Kelce said. “I think a lot of all their guys up front and they brought a lot of intensity to the day, which made the practice intense. And, you know, I think I didn’t handle things properly there at the end.”

Franklin, a starting linebacker entering his sixth year in the NFL, is a Philadelphia native and told reporters he grew up watching Kelce on the Eagles.

“Growing up in Philly, watching him for a long time — lot of respect for him,” Franklin said. “Talked to him a little bit after we played them last year. I thought the OGs would at least look me in the eye before (hitting me), but it’s all good. I might get a chance to look him in the eye Thursday, so we’re going to be OK.”

Gainwell, for his part, said Kelce was merely protecting his teammates.

“That’s just Kelce being Kelce,” Gainwell said. “That’s just Kelce being a professional and taking players’ backs.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (20) rushes against the Denver Broncos during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Eagles agree to terms with RB Rashaad Penny

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles reached an agreement to sign free agent running back Rashaad Penny, NFL Network and The Athletic reported Tuesday.

The agreement is for one year, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia.

New contracts cannot officially be signed until the new league year begins Wednesday.

Penny, 27, spent his first five NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. A number of injuries held him to just 10 games in 2019, three in 2020, 10 in 2021 and five in 2022.

In 42 career games (11 starts), Penny has rushed for 1,918 yards on 5.7 yards per attempt with 13 touchdowns, plus one receiving touchdown.

He ended the 2021 regular season with performances of 137, 135, 170 and 190 rushing yards over the final five games. He scored six touchdowns in that span. But a broken fibula held him to five games in 2022; he averaged 6.1 yards per attempt for 346 yards and two scores.

The Eagles are likely to pair Penny with Kenneth Gainwell in their backfield and move on from Miles Sanders, their starting running back of the last four years.

Sanders, an unrestricted free agent, established career bests of 1,269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2019; Arlington, Texas, USA; Memphis Tigers running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) reacts to a first down in the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Memphis RB Gainwell to opt out of 2020 season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Memphis running back Kenny Gainwell will opt out of the 2020 season, multiple outlets reported Sunday.

As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Gainwell finished fourth in the FBS with 2,069 yards from scrimmage.

“Instead of playing his sophomore season in the Bluff City, Gainwell will be preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft,” wrote reporter Christian Fowler of 247 Sports.

The Tigers are scheduled to open the season Saturday at home against Arkansas State.

Gainwell rushed 231 times for 1,459 yards and 13 touchdowns and added 51 receptions for 610 yards and three scores in 14 games last season.

–Field Level Media