Philadelphia Eagles aren’t closing door on Brandon Brooks’ season
By Conor Myles
Never say never, Brandon Brooks has a shot of playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. The team’s recent move may explain exactly why.
The Philadelphia Eagles appeared to already be at a disadvantage heading into the 2020 season.
Why? Well, in case you missed it, three-time Pro Bowler Brandon Brooks tore his Achilles during offseason team activities.
Losing Brooks is a devastating blow for Philadelphia’s offensive line. Still, there are reasons to be optimistic about seeing Brooks on the field for the Eagles at some point during the season. The Eagles announced some news today that raised an eyebrow.
Roster Moves: #Eagles have claimed TE Caleb Wilson off waivers and placed G Brandon Brooks on Active/PUP. pic.twitter.com/J0LXQrPx1L
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 4, 2020
Placing Brooks on the active physically unable to perform list came as an initial shock. What looked to be a season-ending Achilles injury now doesn’t appear to be as such. Philadelphia had an opportunity to completely place Brooks on the injured reserve list (even with a designated to return tag). Instead, they chose to use the PUP tag, which allows the All-Pro right guard to return after the first six weeks of the season.
The Eagles may have reasons to hope for a potential Brook return. Philadelphia’s right guard suffered the same torn Achilles injury in the team’s divisional-round playoff game versus New Orleans in 2019. Brooks returned to the football field at the start of the following season just eight months after suffering the injury. Maybe the record recovery repeats itself, and the Eagles have a generational talent to plug in along the offensive line during a title run.
Philadelphia has to be keeping an open mind with Brooks’ Achilles injury, especially considering the ample amount of time to decide on playing the right guard if at all. Putting him on the PUP list to start training camp is a formality, but maybe a clue on how the team is leaning considering the importance of Brooks’ play.
Another thing going for Brooks is his ability to continue physical training. The Eagles’ right guard is in incredible shape, and he took to his Instagram to show off his new physique.
Next. Will Parks has all the tools to replace Malcolm Jenkins. dark
The Eagles left the door open for a potential return of Brooks into the lineup. Whether that’s late in the season or during the team’s playoff push, putting him on the active PUP is the team showing faith in a player who’s made a miraculous recovery before. Don’t be shocked if Brooks does it again because Philadelphia won’t be.