The Philadelphia Eagles are set to defend their Super Bowl title but one thing that could stand in their way is their own health. Injuries are the fastest way to derail a team’s path to contention and the Eagles encountered that with a lengthy injury report ahead of Thursday’s practice.
One of the names on the injured list was rookie safety Andrew Mukuba, who has been an early standout in camp. But while his shoulder injury is expected to keep him out for a few practices, it may open the door for Philadelphia to another veteran dying to join the reigning Super Bowl champs.
No practice for Andrew Mukuba today
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) July 31, 2025
This is the third straight day he’s missed due to a shoulder injury
Justin Simmons Could Join Eagles After Andrew Mukuba’s Injury
Justin Simmons is still waiting to join a team for the upcoming season and he’s had his eye on joining the Eagles. The two-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro who spent last year with the Atlanta Falcons has Philadelphia high on his list according to NFL Media’s Brian Baldinger.
“He wants to come to Philadelphia,” Baldinger said back in May. “He wants to be there. …Just find him a house in South Jersey. He’s gonna be here.”
Coming to Philadelphia would be the next step in chasing elusive success in the NFL. While Simmons has racked up individual accolades during his time with the Denver Broncos and Falcons he has yet to appear in a playoff game in his nine-year career, something that he admitted grinds at him during a May interview with FanDuel’s Kay Adams.
Simmons also referenced his previous relationship with Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio during the interview and hinted that Philadelphia would be a perfect fit.
Justin Simmons.... to Philly?!!
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) April 8, 2025
Fangio. Let's make it happen. #FlyEaglesFly @jsimms1119 pic.twitter.com/fPk98sCro0
“Going to Philly with Vic, you know exactly what you're getting out of me and I know exactly what I’m getting out of them. Because I’ve been in the system,” Simmons said. “I still have a ways to go to mastering it but there’s some things and nuances that I know that Vic likes, that I know that [passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach] Christian Parker likes. I think I could really help in that area.”
Those comments were made shortly after the Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans last spring. But Philadelphia plugged that hole by selecting Mukuba in the second round of April’s draft. The former Longhorn joins Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship in the secondary and it’s unlikely Philadelphia brings him in as a reserve.
In all likelihood, Mukuba will return to practice in a few days and be good to go when the Eagles open the season. But if the injury issues continue, Simmons will be a name to monitor as Philadelphia looks for the type of depth to fuel another Super Bowl run.