Chris Polk went through a wide range of emotions last Saturday when cuts were made.
His final emotion was more relief than exhilaration.
The Philadelphia Eagles elected to keep three running backs: LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles and Polk, even though Polk was injured throughout training camp and the preseason.
Undrafted rookie free agent Henry Josey was released and Matthew Tucker was ultimately brought back on the practice squad.
“They scared the crap out of me,” Polk told CSNPhilly.com. “I got a call from (general manager) Howie (Roseman), and he told me to meet with (coach) Chip (Kelly), and I’m thinking, 'Aw damn, I’m gone, I’m gone.' So I met with Chip and he’s like, 'You made the team.' I was just relieved. They did that my rookie year, too. Duce (Staley) called me from an unknown number. I’m like, ‘Oh man, I’m gone, I’m gone.’ Duce tried to have a cool conversation with me. I’m like, ‘Spit it out. Am I on the team or not?’ He finally told me I made the team. It’s just a real nerve-racking experience. You never know what’s going to happen.”
Josey and Tucker both performed quite admirably in the preseason. All Polk could do was watch and wait.
“We had a stable of running backs that were showcasing their abilities every week and did some tremendous things,” Polk told CSNPhilly.com. “You never know what they’re thinking. I didn’t know. I was just waiting to see where the cards came out. No one wants to sit out for five weeks, especially during the most important part of training camp. No one wants to sit out for five weeks.”
Polk’s hamstring is steadily improving and he’s hoping to be on the field for the regular-season opener Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I really don’t know, I can’t put a number on it until we practice in full pads,” Polk told CSNPhilly.com “But the plan is (to play) this Sunday.”
