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Chris Polk underwent off-season shoulder surgery and hopes a clean bill of health leads to an increased role in the Eagles' offense.

(Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports)

PHILADELPHIA -- In a crowded backfield, Eagles third-year running back Chris Polk sees an opportunity to make a significant contribution in Chip Kelly's multi-faceted offensive attack.

"I feel like I can be a great factor," Polk said Tuesday after practice at the Novacare Complex. "We'll see how it plays out. We have LeSean [McCoy], [Darren] Sproles and myself along with some new guys like [Matthew] Tucker, so, the only thing I can do is control what I can control and that is my effort, attitude and what I put on tape. If I do what i know I'm capable of, then I will be playing."

Polk, 24, only touched the ball 11 times last season but scored touchdowns on three of those carries, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. All the while, battling a shoulder injury originally suffered against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 that required off-season surgery.

Being fully recovered from the injury gives the former undrafted free-agent out of Washington hope that he can take the next step this season in an offense that runs more plays than nearly every other team in the league and spreads the ball around.

"I dislocated [my shoulder] during the Tampa bay game and had to wear both shoulder straps," Polk said. "It's kind of hard to run without using your arms, so it'll be good to get back out there with both arms free. I'm looking forward to getting out there this year.

"I feel like I can do a lot more this year, it's hard to run with both of your shoulders being down. I feel more free, so whether it's putting my arms down, breaking tackles, I just feel a lot better."

Kelly lauded Polk, who also posted seven special teams tackles last season, for his effort to get back on the field during the off-season.

"He's really had a great off-season," Kelly said. "He worked extremely hard rehabbing his shoulders but he was one of our key special teams players for us and starting to -- you look at from probably the Detroit game on, he had a couple really big runs in that game and starting to develop as a back and just trying to figure it out again where he fits in that piece."

Polk's role will ultimately be defined by how often Darren Sproles is used as a receiving option because there are only so many carries available, even in Kelly's scheme. However, one of Polk's best assets is his straight ahead speed as a downhill runner and he explained Tuesday that he welcomes the addition of Sproles to an already talented position group.

"I'm glad they brought someone like Darren in because he's a great addition to the [running back's position] room," Polk said. "We're going to go out there and make each other better and it'll make the team better.

"It will bring out the competition because nobody wants to be second string, so we're all going out there and putting our best foot forward. Adding another great running back to our running back room is just making everybody better."

Polk pointed out that where last season was all about learning a new scheme, this spring has been about mastering the little details such as blocking assignments, blitz pickups and offensive line calls with the hope of it leading to more carries this season.

It appears his efforts are catching the eye of his head coach.

"Obviously we have a talented one in [RB] LeSean [McCoy], and then when you add [RB Darren] Sproles to the mix, where does Chris fit into it?," Kelly said Monday. "But I think in terms what has he done in the off-season, I think he's really put himself in the picture."

Follow Matt Lombardo on Twitter: @MattLombardo975