Darren Sproles Denies Holdout with Philadelphia Eagles

Darren Sproles, a Pro Bowl running back and return specialist for the Philadelphia Eagles, was a no-show at this weeks voluntary minicamp. Reports surfaced earlier in the week that there was trade interest in the 32 year old during the mid-rounds of last months draft and that Sproles, who is in the last year of his contract, was on the trade block.

Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson explained Tuesday that Sproles wanted to spend more time with his family. Sproles and his wife have a young daughter, so it would make sense for the veteran to option out of VOLUNTARY practices to be with his family.

Sproles is expected to receive a salary of $3.5 million and carry a $1 million signing bonus.

Wednesday night, Sproles took to Twitter to deny the reports that he was unhappy with the trade rumors or that he was holding out for a new contract.

"I’m holding out because I want a long term deal (multiple laughing emojis). Who’s telling these people their information. Totally false."

Eagles fans will certainly be happy to hear that from Darren Sproles, especially since the Philadelphia running back depth chart has more questions than usual these days.

Veteran Ryan Mathews is expected to lead the corp and an aggressive down hill runner while Sproles will provide a change of pace with his electric speed and agility.

The Eagles also drafted Wendell Smallwood out of West Virginia in the middle of the 2016 draft.

Since being traded by the Saints for a fifth round pick in 2014, Sproles has racked up record numbers in midnight green. In his two years in Philadelphia, Sproles has nine rushing touchdowns.

He is also used as the teams’ primary return specialist. He tied DeSean Jackson for the Eagles franchise record for the most career punt return touchdowns with four. He also has two kick returns brought into the opposing endzone.

He led the NFL in both 2014 and 2015 in punt returns, punt return yards, and punt return touchdowns.

He is ranked seventh on the NFL all-time return yard list with 10,889 yards. He still has a ways to go if he wants to pass Brian Mitchell’s 19,013 yard record.

Also not reporting to voluntary minicamp was defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, who is expected to hold out if he can not get a new contract. Eagles Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman says the sides are not close, but he anticipates a deal will be done and it will be substantial.