CLEVELAND - This is going to come down to the final preseason game.
With the Eagles' top three running backs on the roster etched in stone, there have been four guys battling for that fourth and (likely) final spot. And even though a couple of them showed flashes in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Browns in preseason game No. 3, nobody has won the job yet.
The next week of practice and Thursday's game against the Jets in the preseason finale might decide who makes the roster.
It's probably a little disappointing that one player hasn't run away with the job, but it will at least add a little intrigue to next week's game.
Here's an updated look at where everyone stands:
Wendell Smallwood
With no Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement or Darren Sproles against the Browns, Smallwood got the start but didn't get off to the start he wanted.
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Of his first eight carries, just one went for more than four yards. And five went for two yards or fewer. So he waited.
"Actually, watching film all week, I knew those holes would open," Smallwood said. "Knowing how their defense plays, knowing that they would stop us sometimes, I was being patient. It started working out for us."
It certainly did.
Eventually, Smallwood broke off runs of 14, 14, 12 and 10 yards. He finished his day with 12 carries for 53 yards. That's just an average of 4.4 yards per carry, but a lot of that fell on the offensive line. And seeing those big chunk plays was encouraging. He also caught two passes for 14 yards.
Smallwood, in his third season, thought he played well enough to give himself a boost in the competition.
"I think it's very important, especially being with the starters," he said. "We've got guys down and they called on me to start this game, come out with the ones, and I think that's huge. They trust me being out there with those guys and the feeling of playing against starters, I think that's a whole different level. It was a wonderful opportunity."
Some fans might be tired of the former fifth-round pick who has shown flashes but can't seem to sustain them. Amazingly, he's the only back of the four who has stayed healthy all summer. Smallwood has been labeled as injury-prone, but his ability to stay on the field this preseason might actually help him win the job.
"I think that there's still more plays out there for me to make," Smallwood said. "I feel like I can make more plays. Even when things are not there, I feel like I could be a difference maker out there, I think."
Josh Adams
After missing last week's game with an ankle injury, Adams was back against the Browns. He had to wait to play with the second unit but did pick up 33 yards on four carries (8.3 yards per carry).
This preseason, in two games, Adams has 63 yards on 10 carries. That's an average of 6.3 yards per carry, while Smallwood has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry.
The undrafted running back from Notre Dame is big, fast and talented. He definitely has draftable ability, but he has struggled to stay on the field since getting to Philadelphia.
But when he's on the field, he's been worth watching.
"It's fun, man," Adams said about the competition. "Anytime you got a good competition like that, you gotta love it. It's a great game when everyone's bringing it. I just can't wait to see what happens next week."
Adams knows how important the Jets game will be for him to make the roster, but he said it starts Sunday, when the team gets back to practice. He has to show it every day if he wants to make the team.
"It's just like every other game and every other practice," Adams said. "I just have to give it all I got each and every day I show up and I come to work. Obviously, it's the last one, but treat it like any other one. Just go out there and prove yourself."
Matt Jones
At this point, it might not even be worth seeing Jones in the final game. He made another crucial mistake against the Browns. Forget the 12 yards on three carries.
When the starting offense was beginning to click on what might have been their first and only touchdown drive of the night, Jones caught a pass, then fumbled the ball away. This comes a week after Jones dropped three passes, one of which led to an interception.
If there's one thing that won't help any player make a roster, it's turnovers. Jones is now responsible for two in two weeks. That's not gonna cut it.
The 25-year-old veteran will need a Herculean effort to somehow emerge with a roster spot next week. It's not completely out of the question; it just seems unlikely.
Donnel Pumphrey
A summer that started with so much promise for last year's fourth-round pick has been derailed by an injury. Pump got hurt the practice before the first preseason game and hasn't played a snap in the first three.
These were supposed to be his opportunities to show he belongs in the NFL. Instead, he's watched all of them.
Pumphrey said last week that he hopes to be back practicing soon. For his sake, hopefully, that will happen in time for him to get on the field against the Jets. He has a lot of ground to make up. That said, he's still just 23 and the team might not be ready to completely throw in the towel.
