Philadelphia Eagles: Injury bug presents new challenges on defense
The Philadelphia Eagles have new issues on defense.
The injury bug continues to strike the Philadelphia Eagles.
After facing injuries all offseason heading into Week 1, the Eagles are challenged with two more injuries to two key defensive players.
Defensive end Vinny Curry went down with a hamstring injury, while cornerback/special team’s captain Craig James encountered a thigh injury. Both players were placed on IR this afternoon and will miss at least three games, if not more.
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These injuries come at a very inopportune time for the Philadelphia Eagles, as both positions are already thin at depth.
The two starting defensive ends for the Eagles were banged up already. Derek Barnett missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury, but hopes to be back for Week 2 against the Rams. Brandon Graham was taken out of the game in Week 1 and is currently in concussion protocol after being evaluated for a head injury. The only defensive ends who were active and escaped Week 1 without an injury were Josh Sweat and Genard Avery. Sweat was good in Week 1, but if both have to start against the Rams, the Eagles are in trouble.
Craig James is not a starter at cornerback, but he provides depth at an already thin position and is a leader on the special team’s unit, which looks a lot faster. With James out, this leaves the Philadelphia Eagles with four cornerbacks on the active roster. They were already one injury at that position away from being in trouble. Now, they are in even bigger trouble.
So where do they go from here?
After already using one roster spot by promoting practice squad guard Sua Opeta to the active roster, the Philadelphia Eagles have decisions to make. They need depth at defensive end and cornerback bad.
At defensive end, they do have options. Rookie Casey Toohill made the 53-man roster, but was not active for Week 1. Given the lack of depth, Toohill should be active for the first time against the Rams. The Eagles should also look into promoting Joe Ostman, the former preseason star who fans were pulling to make the roster. Ostman has been a practice squad member that has battled injuries in the past. This could be his time to prove he belongs.
At cornerback, practice squad member Trevor Williams should see himself promoted to the active roster for Week 2. Williams has the most experience among the cornerbacks that could be called up, as he has starting experience with the Los Angeles Chargers. Williams makes the most sense for the Eagles to bring up and will provide depth as an outside cornerback.
Next. Aaron Donald presents far larger challenge than WAS. dark
Making these move will not solve all of the issues for the Philadelphia Eagles. They still lack depth and inexperience at key positions. The injury bug seems to get worse every year for them, and it is hitting their key players at key positions. This team needs to get healthy quick, or else it will be a long rest of the way in 2020.