Jordan Howard Keeps Pushing Forward

Howard was intent on doing everything possible to take advantage of what might have been his final opportunity.

"I had a great offseason, probably my best offseason so far," Howard said on Friday after the team's next-to-last tune-up for Sunday's game. "... I looked in the mirror, I looked at what I needed to change and what I needed to do differently."

First on Howard's to-do list was losing weight and regaining his explosiveness.

"I needed to lose weight so I can get into better shape," Howard admitted while confirming he dropped from 234 pounds to 225. "I also started working out a lot earlier than I usually did, so it helped me get into great shape."

The big back had a great training camp and deserved to make the Eagles' initial 53-man roster but the COVID-19 roster rules, which were extended into 2021, actually hurt solid vested-veteran who weren't permitted to be on the practice squad pre-COVID.

With that as an option, the Eagles went young understanding that Howard would likely be there when needed.

"Going into training camp, I told myself if I don’t make the team, it’s not going to be because I didn’t do well. It’s because it was a numbers game," Howard said. "I felt like I put in the work, but things didn’t go my way. That’s life. Things won’t always go your way. When you face adversity, it’s how you respond to it."

And respond to it, Howard did.

"Everyone in my inner circle encouraged me to keep going even when things weren’t looking good for me," Howard said, admitting there were some bad days. "...The first day, I’m on the practice squad, I’m on the ‘look’ team, and stuff like that. That’s just my reality right now. Game days were pretty tough for me. Just trying to be there and support the guys."

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When Sanders went down with an ankle injury in Las Vegas the Eagles broke the Howard glass in case of emergency with consecutive PS elevations.

With the limit of elevations reached against the Chargers, Howard was promoted to the 53-man roster this week but Sanders is eligible to return next Sunday against New Orleans, a scenario which could put Howard on the waiver wire.

"I’d be thankful that I got to play a few games," the veteran said. "That’s all I wanted was the opportunity to show what I can do. I’m just grateful for that."

The Eagles, meanwhile, are grateful for Howard. While Sanders has the talent to be a star, Nick Sirianni's offense has been more effective with Howard's no-nonsense running style.

"I still view myself as that [Pro Bowl] player," said Howard. "I feel like I’m better now. But what I did in the past doesn’t matter because it’s like, what have you done for me lately? Just gotta focus on the next task at hand. None of the past really matters. Just gotta keep pushing forward."

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