Make no mistake, LeGarrette Blount wants the football. At the same time, Blount isn't stewing over the fact that he didn't record a single carry in the Eagles' loss to the Chiefs this past week.
"I'm not frustrated," Blount said Wednesday after practice. "It's Week 3. We have 14 games left. That's a lot of time in this league."
It's only natural to assume Blount would be displeased on some level. The eighth-year veteran was only on the field for six snaps in Kansas City, finishing with one catch for no gain, and his only carry negated by a penalty. Last season, Blount racked up 299 rushing attempts for 1,161 yards and an NFL-best 18 touchdowns with the Patriots, so he's used to getting the ball.
But Blount isn't looking back. He insists his focus is on the task at hand.
"You can't really dwell on the past, can't really dwell on last week because we have the Giants," Blount said. "We have a tough opponent coming up. I just have to continue to run and work, and whenever opportunities present themselves, I just have to take full advantage of them."
So there you have it. Blount isn't going to become a disgruntled employee just because he's not a vital part of the game plan one week, which ought to provide some semblance of relief.
Yet, as far as Blount's role with the Eagles is concerned, he offers little in the way of clarity.
Philadelphia Eagles
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
"You just never know," Blount said. "The flow of the game can dictate everything. A game plan could be one thing, and then the flow of the game can change in an instant.
"I just know that I come to work every day and I grind, so let the chips fall where they may. I can only control what I can control, and that's how hard I work and how much I dedicate myself to making sure I can maximize my chances."
How Blount was going to fit with the Eagles offense was a question mark from the moment he signed in May. He's 30 years old. He's almost strictly a between-the-tackles runner. He isn't a huge threat as a receiver out of the backfield. Even Blount's contract – a one-year deal worth $1.25 million – wasn't indicative of a feature back.
Blount would be happy to carry the load all season if asked. As of now, that doesn't appear to be the likely outcome most weeks.
"Every running back sees themselves as an every-down back," Blount said. "There's no running back in this league that's going to be like, ‘I just want to play first down," or, ‘I just want to play third down.'
"Obviously, as a running back, you want the football. It's tough going through a full game and not getting any carries. You have to make sure that you know it's a bigger task and we have a bigger goal than individual goals. We're fighting to win this division and move further along than that, so whatever it takes to get that done, I'm all aboard for it."
Outside the NovaCare Complex, everybody is wondering what the Eagles are doing with Blount. However, this doesn't appear to be a situation where a high-profile free agent didn't know what he was getting himself into when he signed.
"He and I talk all the time, quite honestly," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said Wednesday. Pederson previously revealed he had not approached Blount about the lack of playing time against the Chiefs, perhaps because such a conversation would be unnecessary.
"I think it's important that you define the role for guys, and here's my expectations for players," Pederson said. "I think it's important. And even the position coach, to have that conversation with players at their position.
"Listen, we only have one football, and you try to get everybody involved when you can and if you can. He and I, we've had conversations defining the role."
Blount seemed to confirm he understands what his role is, and did not expressed any issues with Pederson's play-calling.
"We're on the same page," Blount said. "We've been on the same page. We've talked. We know how things work. We know that we have to get this running game going and off the ground if we want to be a good, balanced team.
"Whenever Doug calls my number, I just know I'm going to be ready."
