Ajayi 'excited' for 2018 role

One of the biggest Eagles questions facing fantasy owners is just how much work we can expect RB Jay Ajayi to get. Well, he spoke to that a bit this week. “I’m excited,” Ajayi said Tuesday, per USA Today's Eagles Wire. “Obviously things have gotten a little bit shaken up in our room, and I’m excited to get into that lead role, do what’s needed of me and just go ball." Ajayi averaged just 11.2 carries per game over 10 contests (playoffs included) after joining the Eagles last year. But that climbed to 13.8 over the final 6 games, including 4 weeks of 14+ rushes. Philly coaches haven't specifically addressed backfield roles yet, and the backfield remains crowded. Corey Clement should continue to see a significant role. And Darren Sproles -- who opened last year as the team leader in RB snaps before a Week 3 injury -- returns. Matt Jones, Donnel Pumphrey, Wendell Smallwood and undrafted free agent Josh Adams are also fighting for roles. The "lead role" Ajayi refers to doesn't necessarily mean workhorse-level touches, and we're not projecting that for him. But a lead job in what should again rank among the league's top offenses will undoubtedly carry fantasy upside. Ajayi could particularly bring a high TD ceiling, given his size vs. the remaining backfield competition. He's a decent value at current ADP, and we'll continue to monitor the Eagles backfield as we move into summer.

The Eagles are set to sign RB Jay Ajayi, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. RB Jordan Howard is dealing with a stinger and is in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Patriots. Ajayi has been unemployed all season but spent part of 2017 and all of 2018 with Philadelphia. He's worth adding if you have a roster spot to play with, but he still seems like a long shot for 2019 fantasy value.

Eagles RB Jay Ajayi suffered an ACL tear in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings and will miss the rest of the season. That takes the carry leader out of a backfield that has started slowly. Healthy returns by Corey Clement and Darren Sproles wold help absorb touches, but Wendell Smallwood has als taken advantage of recent injuries to others to look like a player who will continue to deserve work. We’ll see hit the touches get distributed as the remaining group get healthy. The one thing we’ve been able to count on so far has been HC Doug Pederson spreading the work around. Clement, Sproles and Smallwood are all worth owning to varying degrees right now

Eagles RB Jay Ajayi (back) is not listed on the final Week 4 injury report. He’s set to play through a “small fracture” in his back. Consider him a risk/reward RB2 for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Eagles RB Jay Ajayi told the media Thursday that he has a "small fracture" in his back. He's set to play through it, though, explaining that "it's just a matter of pain tolerance." It's obviously an uneasy situation and adds risk to Ajayi's weekly fantasy outlook. We'll be keeping a close eye on him in this weekend's game against the Titans. He's a risky RB2 for that one.

Eagles RB Jay Ajayi (back) put in a full practice on Thursday. That puts him on track to return for this weekend's game against the Titans. Ajayi will be a fine RB2 for that one. Tennessee is allowing 4.7 yards per carry to RBs.