The Philadelphia Eagles have been facing adversity for the last few weeks as they've dropped two straight games. The loss to the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football wasn't a good performance by the defense, which allowed 34 points.
In that contest, CB Kelee Ringo struggled immensely, and it appears he's headed back to the bench. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to the media on Tuesday and was asked who would start at corner between Ringo and Adoree Jackson. Fangio rolled with the latter and said, "Right now it’s probably going to be Adoree' Jackson,” per Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Adoree’ Jackson Will Likely Start Over Kelee Ringo in Week 7
Ringo's performance against New York was brutal and is a big reason why he's heading back to the bench. Up against mostly backups, Ringo gave up four catches (five targets) for 73 receiving yards, while also committing a pass interference penalty.
According to Pro Football Focus, he finished with season lows in overall grade (29.6) and coverage grade (29.2) in the loss. Not being able to defend Wan'Dale Robinson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey is certainly telling. Why would the coaches have confidence that Ringo can defend the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on Sunday?
They clearly don't, but throwing Jackson out there isn't that much better either. This season, he's played in five games (two starts), finishing with 20 total tackles and four pass deflections. The USC product has a 45.8 overall grade (144th among 168 graded CBs) and 46.2 coverage grade (133rd among 168 graded CBs) on Pro Football Focus.
He's failed to record an overall or coverage grade on PFF over 60 in any game this season, and his effort on a tackle was called out by former Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy. Nonetheless, the Eagles' options in the secondary are limited. In the loss to the Giants, cornerback Quinyon Mitchell left due to a hamstring injury, and Fangio said it "remains to be seen" if he'll be able to play. The odds are he won't, as hamstring injuries are tricky and need adequate time off in order to fully recover.
Philadelphia's secondary is in flux right now, but Jackson appears to be one of the starters on Sunday. Eagles fans are hoping he can step up his play and put out a better product than Ringo put on the field. It will be a tough matchup for sure, but Philadelphia needs Jackson at his best on Sunday.