LANDOVER, Md. -- DeMarco Murray carried the ball only eight times on Sunday, and that's not enough for the NFL's defending rushing champion.
"No, I'm not. I don't think I am," Murray said when asked if he's getting enough touches. "But it's how the plays are being called. I love this offense. I love playing with these guys. It's how it is."
Murray had 10 touches -- 8 carries, 2 catches --in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Washington Redskins. He finished with 36 rushing yards and 12 receiving yards. In three games this season, he averages 13.3 touches. He averaged 28.1 touches last season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Murray signed a five-year, $40 million deal with the Eagles during the offseason. He came to Philadelphia aware that there would be a backfield rotation with Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles. He said he did not have a number of touches per game in mind when he signed with the team.
"I knew what I was coming in here to do," Murray said. "I knew I was going to be the lead guy. I knew Sproles and Mathews, two great guys. I knew this offense -- a lot of guys touch the ball. That's how they make a lot of plays. It's about executing plays."
The Eagles totaled only 18 rushes Sunday. Matthews rushed five times for 20 carries, Sproles went four times for 17 yards, and Sam Bradford tucked the ball away once for a 14-yard gain.
Murray said earlier in the week that running backs like to "lather up," which was his way of saying a rusher can get into a rhythm with multiple carries. He has not been able to do that yet this season. He had no fewer than 19 carries in a game last season, and he's had no more than 13 carries in a game this season.
Murray said he doesn't plan to raise the issue with the coaching staff. He said they just need to watch film and "get better" -- and he included himself in that pledge.
"We've got a lot of season left," Murray said. "We just need to find ways to get different guys the ball."
Murray said the offense has enough opportunities, but they need to execute the plays. He said "it's not all bad," but there are plays and drives in which the team "shot ourselves in the foot." Murray did not want to place blame elsewhere for the offensive problems.
"I think every guy has to look in the mirror and take accountability for their actions," Murray said. "I'm the first to do it at all times."
Delayed access
INDIANAPOLIS -- A male usher stopped three female journalists from entering the Jaguars locker room after their loss to the Colts because they were women, asking other men if it was OK before finally allowing them inside.
Graham Watson of Yahoo Sports and Joey Chandler of the Tuscaloosa News both said on Twitter on Sunday night that they were not allowed inside the locker room after Indianapolis' 16-13 overtime win until the usher first checked to make sure the women were allowed to enter. The women were at the game as part of the Associated Press Sports Editors sports media diversity weekend.
"Never ever have I had someone stop me from going into a locker room I was allowed to go into," Watson told the Indianapolis Star. "I've covered events all over the world. I was stunned. I was angry.
"He should not be working the door of an NFL locker room."
Public relations staffs from both the Colts and the Jaguars apologized to the women.
Colts spokesman Avis Roper told The Associated Press that the usher was in an area where he didn't know who was allowed access.
The Association for Women in Sports Media says it's unfortunate that such issues continue to exist.
Division dominance
Indianapolis defeated Jacksonville 16-13 in overtime, giving the Colts their 15th consecutive division victory -- which ties the 1972-73 Miami Dolphins for the longest streak since 1970. Indianapolis' active win streak against AFC South opponents began on December 30, 2012, when the Colts earned a 28-16 win against Houston.
The Colts can break the record Thursday night at Houston.
Fan collapses, dies
CINCINNATI -- A man from Springfield, Mo., collapsed in a restroom at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday during a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals and was pronounced dead at a hospital, a Bengals spokesman said.
The man's identity wasn't released, pending notification of his family. Bengals spokesman Bob Bedinghaus said the fan had some type of pre-existing medical issue.
Police and paramedics tried to revive the man at the stadium. He was taken to Christ Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Bedinghaus said.
The Bengals beat the Chiefs 36-21.
Sports on 10/05/2015