NFL teams
Phil Sheridan, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

DeMarco Murray on not getting enough touches: 'It's the plays being called'

NFL, Philadelphia Eagles

LANDOVER, Md. -- DeMarco Murray says he knew what he was getting into when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent. After a 1-3 start, Murray was asked if he's getting the ball enough.

"Do I think I'm touching the ball [enough]?" Murray said. "No, I'm not. I don't think I am. But it's the plays that are being called. I love this offense. I love playing with these guys. It's just how it is."

In the Eagles' 23-20 loss at Washington on Sunday, Murray carried the ball eight times for 36 yards. He also caught two passes for 12 yards. Through three games, Murray has 29 carries for 47 yards.

Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Monday he understands Murray's desire to carry the ball more.

"Everyone needs the ball more. I've got no issue with that," Kelly told SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia. "We need to play more on offense. That's the bottom line. We're getting off the field on third down. And most of the time when we're off the field on third down, it's our fault. We're not getting stopped. We're doing it to ourselves.

"We're not executing. I think our effort is good, but there is critical times in a game when we need to make a play and we're not making a play. ... If third down gets you a first down, then you can run the football."

Murray said Sunday he didn't plan to talk to Kelly about his workload.

"I don't need to go to anyone," Murray said. "It is what it is. We'll all watch film and get better. Everyone has to get better. Losing a game like this in the division, going 0-2 in the division, it sucks."

Murray missed last week's game against the New York Jets with a hamstring injury. His availability Sunday was a game-time decision. The Eagles beat the Jets 24-17 for their only victory of the season.

Last year, as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Murray carried the ball a league-high 392 times for 1,845 yards.

He decided to sign with the Eagles in March. The team also signed former San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews. The pair replaced LeSean McCoy, who was traded to Buffalo, and joined Darren Sproles to give the Eagles depth at running back.

"I knew what I was coming here to do," Murray said. "I knew I was going to be the guy. I knew Sproles and Mathews are two great backs. I knew a lot of guys touch the ball. That's how they make a lot of plays. It's about executing plays and us being better."

Murray's first carry Sunday went for 30 yards. His next seven carries netted just 6 yards.

"At the end of the day," Murray said, "you've got to make plays. We're here for a reason. We've got to get more opportunities and get the ball in our playmakers' hands. We're 1-3. It's pretty frustrating."

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