It wasn't always pretty, but the Philadelphia Eagles began the defense of their Super Bowl championship with a 24-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in their season opener on Thursday night.
Unfortunately, the Eagles did not come out of the game without any injury issues, as a starter on offense has been placed on the IR. With starting fullback Ben VanSumeren done for the season after suffering a torn patella tendon, head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo now have a decision on their hands.
VanSumeren was the only fullback on the active roster. There is no natural replacement for him on the practice squad that could be elevated ahead of Philadelphia's Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The way I see it, the Eagles have three options on the table before their Super Bowl rematch against Patrick Mahomes and company.
Eagles Left With Three Options After Injury to FB Ben VanSumeren
With VanSumeren on the IR, there is no obvious answer to fill the opening at fullback. That doesn't mean the Eagles are without solid options, though. Of the three feasible routes Philadelphia can take, the one that would make the least amount of sense would be to sign a free agent fullback.
Beyond the free agent fullback market being pretty barren at this stage of the season, the Eagles have already made one roster move since VanSumeren was forced to go on IR, and that was adding veteran DE Za'Darius Smith to the defensive front. Releasing another member of the roster who was with the team throughout camp, only to bring on a player who would have to learn the offense on the fly, simply doesn't make sense.
The next option might be the most likely scenario. This would involve utilizing the reserve tight ends, Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson, behind Dallas Goedert as a makeshift "fullback by committee" unit. Given the importance of clearing the way for starting RB Saquon Barkley, having someone who knows how to throw their body around as a blocker is a key trait whoever takes over in this role must have. As tight ends, blocking is something that Calcaterra and Granson already have as part of their skill sets.
The final option, which ultimately will be tied to the health of Will Shipley, would be having veteran RB A.J. Dillon fill in at the FB position. Standing 6'0" and weighing 247 pounds, Dillon would have no issues handling the physicality that comes with this role on offense. If Shipley's rib issue is something that limits him in the coming weeks, however, then moving Dillon away from his traditional position as a running back could hurt Philadelphia more than it helps.
The ball is in the court of Sirianni and Howie Roseman. All Eagles fans can hope is that they make the right decision, as the schedule won't get any easier on the defending champs.