The Philadelphia Eagles must think like a goldfish this week to bounce back on a short week following a disappointing 24-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. This loss snapped Philadelphia's four-game win streak, but it may have been avoided if Xavier Gipson hadn't had a costly fumble in the fourth quarter.
The loss was made worse by Andrew Mukuba's ankle injury, which may require surgery, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. His absence was emphasized as Sydney Brown was his replacement, and that's something that could have been avoided. Signing C.J. Gardner-Johnson would have aided these problems.
Gardner-Johnson had stints with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens before joining the Chicago Bears on a one-year, $1.17 million deal. Not only was it a cheap deal, but he's been an effective defender for the Bears. In four games, he has 20 total tackles, four TFLs, three sacks, and a forced fumble. Meanwhile, Brown's play only shows that it was a mistake not to bring Gardner-Johnson back.
Sydney Brown’s Play Shows Eagles C.J. Gardner-Johnson Mistake
Brown played in 26 total snaps against Dallas but was underwhelming. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished with a 57.7 overall grade, 52.7 run-defense grade, and a 61.6 coverage grade. He also allowed two catches for 26 receiving yards, but didn't look capable of being an average starter for them in the secondary.
As for Gardner-Johnson, he could have been a low-cost addition who knows the scheme and team, as he was a contributor for them in 2024. He has stepped into the role of a slot cornerback for the Bears, showcasing his versatility.
That is something that the Eagles could use now with Mukuba being sidelined. They had a belief that Brown would be capable of stepping into the fold when needed, especially since he was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Yet, that doesn't seem to be the story for the Birds. In 36 career games (seven starts), he has 69 total tackles, five pass breakups, and two picks, dating back to 2023.
The injury was a result of friendly fire, as Brown rolled into Mukuba, which only makes the situation hurt more for the team and fanbase. Nonetheless, at this point in the season, the Eagles have no other player to turn to. It'll have to be Brown and maybe Carter, who can play safety if needed.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has his work cut out for him to fill in the gaps, and Brown hasn't given the confidence that he can be reliable out there. The next six weeks are huge, but Week 12's outing for Brown wasn't convincing, and that isn't what fans want to see.