NFL rumors: Eagles sign RB Jay Ajayi before Week 11 game vs. Patriots

A second stint with the Philadelphia Eagles for Jay Ajayi appears imminent.

UPDATE (Friday, Nov. 15 at 3:31 p.m. ET): NFL Media's Ian Rapoport is reporting Ajayi has signed with the Eagles.

--End of Update--

The Eagles "intend to sign" the veteran running back, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Friday.

The #Eagles intend to sign FA RB Jay Ajayi, source said. He worked out this morning and they are deep in talks. The top veteran still available, he’s healthy after an ACL tear and returns to the team that traded for him in 2017. Helps make up for the loss of Darren Sproles.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 15, 2019

Philadelphia will host the New England Patriots at Lincoln Financial Field in one of Sunday's most anticipated Week 11 matchups. The Eagles need all the offensive depth they can get because the Patriots have the league's best defense in terms of yards and points allowed per game.

Ajayi has 28 carries for 75 rushing yards, as well as seven receptions for 51 yards in three career regular season games against the Patriots. He has not scored a touchdown versus the Pats.

The need for the Eagles to add another running back was increased over the last 24 hours given running back Darren Sproles' injury situation. Sproles was added to the injury report Thursday with a quadriceps issue, and NFL Media's Mike Garafolo reported Friday that the veteran running back will not play again this season.

#Eagles RB Darren Sproles will miss the rest of the season with a quad injury he suffered in practice this week, sources say. Sproles, who missed 3 games with a quad injury before being cleared to play vs. #Bears, had an MRI after Wed’s practice that revealed the new injury.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 15, 2019

Ajayi was acquired by the Eagles in a trade with the Miami Dolphins during the 2017 season, and he averaged 5.1 yards per carry en route to a Super Bowl LII win over the Patriots. He tore his ACL in Week 5 of the 2018 campaign and missed the rest of the season.

The Eagles also brought back veteran wide receiver Jordan Matthews earlier this week after their receiving depth was hit hard by injuries to DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery.