The most concerning aspect of the Philadelphia Eagles' season-opening 24-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys was consistent struggles in the secondary. While defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's unit would make the needed adjustments in the second half, the first part of the game was defined by coverage busts and Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott moving the ball at will.
Depth corner Eli Ricks might've had nothing to do with these struggles as a member of the practice squad; however, the team opted to move in a different direction. On Wednesday, NBC Sports' Dave Zangaro reported that Ricks has been cut loose from the practice squad.
Eagles Make a Surprise Move on Wednesday Parting Ways with 3rd-Year CB Eli Ricks
Ricks was just signed to the practice squad in the first week of September, making the quick pivot a bit of a surprise. The defensive back has been a part of the organization since the 2023 season, winning a Super Bowl last year while being a consistent depth piece.
Defensive tackle Jacob Sykes is taking Ricks' place on the Philly practice squad, per Zangaro. Sykes was first signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, but failed to crack the roster. This led to his spending parts of 2024 and 2025 with the UFL's San Antonio Brahmas before making his way to the City of Brotherly Love in July.
For the Eagles, this is simply a depth move in hopes of finding a surprise rotational option in the middle of the defense. Jalen Carter buys Philly the ability to get away with average options on the inside, and even average players are elevated by his greatness.
Ricks is undeniably getting a tough break here, but the Eagles simply don't see a path for the corner to return to the active roster and contribute. Even with the current depth questions, Ricks isn't a starting option or a primary backup. The current pieces offer more upside, and the Eagles have interesting free agent options they could opt to explore if they get truly desperate.
For now, expect Fangio to focus on the pieces on the current roster, working to correct the current concerns. Improvements from rookie starters and the return of Carter should be enough to shove the defensive line back in the right direction, which is what they need before Sunday's showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.