Barner making case to be Eagles' fourth RB

Kenjon Barner returned to the sideline after a 68-yard punt-return touchdown Saturday to share a moment with Chip Kelly. The Eagles' coach, who also coached Barner at Oregon, delivered a message to one of the team's preseason standouts.

"He was happy for me, but he told me, 'You don't reach the ball,' " Barner said. "I said, 'You're right, I apologize.' So that's what that moment was about."

Barner carried the ball with one hand for the final 10 yards of his return, which could make a killjoy out of any coach. But Barner only reached the point to do that because of an outstanding return. It was the third time Barner has scored during the preseason and the second time on a punt return.

Kelly said after Barner's 92-yard punt-return TD in the first preseason game that if Barner "continues to perform like that, we have to fit him in." Barner followed six days later with the touchdown in the Eagles' 40-17 preseason win Saturday. He also had 15 rushing yards and 10 receiving yards.

"He's making a huge case," Kelly said after the game. "You go back-to-back weeks with a punt return for a touchdown. I think he made some good plays in the run game. . . . I think he's putting himself in position. We talked about it last week and he's continuing to do that."

The reason it's still a discussion is because of the depth in front of Barner. DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, and Darren Sproles are the top three running backs. The Eagles kept only three running backs last year and four running backs for most of 2013, so Barner's potential place on the 53-man roster will come down to roster math.

If the Eagles keep four running backs - which they had planned to do before letting Chris Polk leave - then it's one fewer player at another position. In 2013, that position was tight end. The Eagles went with four tight ends last season and have three undrafted rookies vying for the fourth spot this year.

But it will be difficult for the Eagles to release Barner, who is competing with Raheem Mostert for the fourth running back spot. Barner can provide a backup to Sproles, a punt returner who can contribute in the running and passing game. If he's on the roster and active on game days, Barner could spell Sproles on a few punt returns if the latter takes a larger role in the offensive game plan.

"Being able to make an impact on special teams, kick return, kickoff, punt return, catching the ball out of the backfield - whatever it is, you have to find a place to fit in," Barner said. "Our backfield is stacked, but that's nothing new to me. I've been in a stacked backfield since college. It's all about finding a place to fit in and opening eyes."

Barner was an intriguing pickup when the Eagles acquired him from Carolina last preseason, and not just because Kelly coached him at Oregon. It was because of his production in Kelly's system, including 3,623 career rushing yards and 5,845 all-purpose yards.

Barner injured his ankle in the 2014 preseason finale, prompting the Eagles to waive him and reach an injury settlement. They signed Barner to the practice squad in November and he finished the season in that spot.

Barner returned healthier this offseason. And though Kelly already knows enough about him, the running back feels like a different person than the one who left Kelly in 2012.

"You age and you grow and you get wiser in this game," Barner said. "You get up under guys who've played the game a lot longer than you, and they pass on the knowledge and wisdom they have and that helps you grow as a player."

Barner said he benefited from spending the 2013 season with Carolina, where he learned under Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, and Mike Tolbert. Then last season, he soaked up time with LeSean McCoy, Sproles, and Duce Staley.

Sproles is a key influence on Barner, who said he's in Sproles' "back pocket, 24/7."

Before the preseason opener, Sproles told Barner what to expect from the Colts punter. It helped Barner run for the touchdown. Before Saturday's game, Barner again discussed with Sproles how the punts would land.

"Sproles plays a big part in my success in the punt return because he's always in my head," Barner said.

Barner now has two more games to show he deserves to be Sproles' teammate this season.

After punt return touchdowns in consecutive games, he could keep the streak alive Saturday in Green Bay.

"I'm not even thinking about that," Barner said. "My job is to be happy about this performance. Come Monday, forget about it, move on, and just continue to work."

@ZBerm