Philadelphia Eagles: Doug Pederson says don't worry about the running game

PHILADELPHIA -- Preseason statistics generally aren't very relevant. So, the fact that the Philadelphia Eagles rushed for just 47 yards on 19 carries in their first preseason game against Green Bay, and just 66 yards on 26 carries in their second game against Buffalo probably is nothing for them to get concerned about.

"I'm not (concerned) at all," Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said. "Because I see it in practice every day. I know what they're capable of doing.

"It goes back to the game-plan thing. We don't game-plan these games. We keep it very vanilla. We're still evaluating all of our players."

The Eagles' newest veteran running back addition, LeGarrette Blount, who they are hoping will help them in short-yardage and goal-line situations, has 17 yards on 9 carries in the first two games.

In Thursday's 20-16 win over the Bills, three of his five carries were on sweeps, which isn't exactly his strong suit. The 250-pounder never came close to turning the corner, though poor blocking had a little something to do with that. The Eagles' nine-time Pro-Bowl left tackle, Jason Peters, didn't play against the Bills.

Blount said he never has been very productive in the preseason in his career and that it means next to nothing.

"There's nothing that we're doubting or that we feel like we're lacking," Blount said. "I feel like we got all the pieces we need to be a good running team."

The Eagles finished 18th in yards per attempt (4.1) last season and 11th in rushing yards per game (113.3). The Eagles like to harp on the fact that they finished fifth in rushing efficiency, which factors in down and distance. Runs of four yards or more on first-and-10 are efficient runs. So is a 1-yard run on third-and-1.

One running back that did look good Thursday night was undrafted rookie Corey Clement. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound Clement, who was the first back in after Blount, had a 24-yard run and a 6-yard touchdown run. He also held his own in pass-protection and catching the ball.

"Corey's been doing a really good job for us," Pederson said. "He's a tough, smart kid, a tough runner, a hard runner. He's done everything we've asked him to do. He's put himself in a good position (to make the roster)."

The Eagles are expected to keep four running backs. Blount and 34-year-old Darren Sproles both are locks. Rookie fourth-rounder Donnel Pumphrey, who broke the FBS career rushing record at San Diego State, has struggled in the first two preseason games, but has looked fine in practice and figures to be the third back. That leaves Clement battling second-year man Wendell Smallwood for the final running back spot.

Smallwood missed both of the first two preseason games with a hamstring injury. He practiced Sunday and is expected to play this week against Miami.