Fullback Khari Blasingame Joins Philadelphia Eagles Practice Squad
The Philadelphia Eagles have added a fullback to their practice squad.
With the injury to linebacker/fullback Ben VanSumeren, the team was in need of someone to lead the way for Saquon Barkley, who is on pace for a historic season. VanSumeren had carved out a nice role, and now Khari Blasingame will step in and lead the way for Barkley.
VanSumeren is out for the season with a knee injury.
Blasingame will now be a part of the Eagles' running game with Barkley sitting at 1,766 scrimmage yards, the second most by a player in his first 12 games with a team in NFL history, replacing VanSumeren, who played 22 snaps on offense as a fullback, as the lead blocker.
Hall-of-Famer Eric Dickerson had 1,775 scrimmage yards in his first 12 games with the Rams in 1983.
Blasingame appeared in two games with the Chicago Bears this season but has 66 games of NFL experience with Chicago and the Tennessee Titans and has 11 carries for 32 yards and has 13 catches for 99 yards receiving in his career.
He has also been a member of both the kick-off and punt teams during his NFL career, something VanSumeren excelled at doing.
"It's hard to replace a guy like Ben (on special teams)," admitted Eagles Special Teams Coordinator Michael Clay. One of his tenacity, physicality, and athleticism. You always feel bad for a guy that you lose due to injury."
To make room for Blasingame on the roster, the team released veteran wide receiver John Ross a day after releasing Paris Campbell on Monday.
