This year has seen the continued emergence of former Wisconsin stars in the NFL, many becoming household names on both the offensive and defensive side of the football.
This season in the NFL has also brought new opportunities for former Badgers looking to make it in the league. While some are yet to capitalize on the playing time they receive, one Wisconsin product was turning heads before an injury halted his momentum.
Related: Wisconsin’s updated quarterback depth chart after reports of Jack Coan’s injury
He is Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards, a guy who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Doug Pederson says T.J. Edwards and Rudy Ford will miss some time, per Doug Pederson.
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) October 5, 2020
Though Edwards was not selected during the 2019 NFL Draft he found his way onto the Eagles roster last season, part of it due to the team’s lack of depth at linebacker but also partially due to his football IQ, tackling prowess and ability on special teams.
Last season, then, a few players ahead of Edwards on the depth chart went down with injury and one was released. The former Badger took a starting role for Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz and didn’t look back, finishing the season as the team’s highest graded player at the position.
Fast forward to this year now and the same story can be told; due to the team’s consistent decision to not prioritize the linebacker position in the NFL Draft or free agency a starting role was open for Edwards, a role he took and excelled in.
Heading into last night’s contest his numbers through three weeks included 6 solo tackles, 12 total tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 run stuff. Against the San Francisco 49ers last night the numbers were only growing, as the former Badger had 3 solo tackles and 1 run stuff in the early going.
On a team that struggles to find consistent production at the linebacker position Edwards was playing well and exceeding every expectation.
Unfortunately, though, last night he went down with a hamstring injury before halftime and, according to Head Coach Doug Pederson, will now be forced to miss time.
Philadelphia and Wisconsin fans alike were liking what they were seeing from the linebacker despite no team selecting him during the draft. His growth and momentum will need to wait a few weeks until the former Badger returns to the field for the Eagles and continues to show why he deserves a starting role in the NFL.