Doug Pederson Makes it Clear Miles Sanders Will Remain No. 1 RB When Jordan Howard Returns

Eagles running back Miles Sanders' season may be good enough to net him this year's offensive Rookie of the Year award. He's carried the brunt of their load in the backfield for the better part of the year with Jordan Howard missing time due to a shoulder injury - including 20 rushes for 79 yards and a touchdown in their possible division-clinching win vs. Dallas Sunday.

Philadelphia's backfield though, remains loaded - even after their release of Jay Ajiyayi Wednesday. Howard is easing his way back into playing shape, and sixth-rounder Boston Scott has proven he's no slouch either, bursting onto the scene this year as a substantial big play threat behind Sanders with Howard sidelined. According to head coach Doug Pederson, Sanders has done enough to retain his status as the Eagles go-to guy, even with Howard returning Sunday against the Giants.

“I honestly don’t think much has to change," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said on Thursday via NJ.com. "I think Jordan is a piece to the puzzle. He can obviously add depth, but Miles has been sort of the hot hand here lately and we want to continue that going.”

Hot is the perfect word to describe Sanders' production. He's already smashed LeSean McCoy's Philadelphia rookie rushing record, and averaged an upwards of 4.5 yards per carry in their last three games, including a 56-yard breakaway against Washington, and a 38-yarder that sealed their victory vs. Dallas.

They still have work to do with the NFL's NFC East division up for grabs heading into Sunday, and Sanders will be the main man on the ground for Pederson's offense as they vie for playoff contention.