National Football League

Saints deal running back Darren Sproles to Eagles for fifth-round pick

Published Mar. 13, 2014 10:17 a.m. ET

Ross Jones

Darren Sproles was hoping to be released.

Instead, the New Orleans Saints dealt the 5-foot-6, 190-pound running back to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fifth-round pick, the team announced Thursday. Let’s hope he didn’t find out on Twitter.

"I don't know where they would send me because I have no control over it, and I want to be able to pick [a team]," Sproles told ESPN on Wednesday.

Sproles has been a dynamic weapon out of the backfield during his nine-year career. He immediately adds depth at the running back position behind LeSean McCoy. Sproles is also a threat in the return game, handling the majority of punt returns for the Saints the last three seasons.

While Sproles proved to be a consistent threat, he was used sparingly in the Saints offense. He is set to earn $3.5 million in 2014 and will become a free agent in 2015.