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Eagles PFF grades: Highest graded players on offense and defense from Week 2 vs. 49ers
Jalen Hurts completed just 12 of 23 passes for 190 yards, while also rushing for 82 yards, including a 1-yard TD in the fourth quarter, as the Eagles fell to 1-1 after a frustrating home loss to San Francisco.
Here are PFF’s highest graded Eagles players on offense and defense for Week 2.
Eagles moving Genard Avery to linebacker for 2021 NFL season
@footwork_king1 says Eagles are moving Genard Avery to LB. Makes a lot of sense. I didn’t like how they used him in the past. This is the right move. https://t.co/q9boqMr8Z2
— Dashawn Abrams (@dashawn_abrams) February 19, 2021
Lost in the news of the Eagles pending Carson Wentz trade, is the word that Genard Avery is set to switch to the linebacker position for the 2021 NFL season.
The Eagles traded their 2021 fourth-round pick to acquire Avery ahead of the 2019 NFL trade deadline from the Browns.
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Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Malik Jackson, and Derek Barnett lead a list of players the Eagles could release for salary cap purposes.
With looming salary cap issues needing to be addressed during the 2021 NFL offseason, the Eagles could part ways with about 15-20 players on the current roster.
Philadelphia currently has 67 players under contract for 2021 and moving on from some big named, costly, or older veterans could save the Eagles millions before the start of free agency.
The Eagles may not be significant players in the 2021 portion of NFL free agency, but roster cuts and a rebuild are necessary and we’ve listed 10-players who could be cap casualties.
Eagles place DE Genard Avery on the Reserve/Injured list
Roster Moves: #Eagles have placed DE Genard Avery and LB Nate Gerry on Reserve/Injured. pic.twitter.com/bOwcXiAP8x
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 30, 2020
The Philadelphia Eagles just announced two roster moves, placing linebacker Nate Gerry and pass rusher Genard Avery on the Reserve/Injured list.
Avery has been dealing with an injury and the roster move paves the way for Jalen Reagor and Jason Peters to return to the lineup.
Eagles place LB Nate Gerry on the Reserve/Injured list
The Philadelphia Eagles have placed starting linebacker Nate Gerry on injured reserve with an ankle injury the team just announced.
Roster Moves: #Eagles have placed DE Genard Avery and LB Nate Gerry on Reserve/Injured. pic.twitter.com/bOwcXiAP8x
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 30, 2020
Gerry has been dealing with an ankle injury and the roster move paves the way for Jalen Reagor and Jason Peters to return to the lineup.
Eagles snap counts vs. the Ravens: Breakdown, analysis
The Philadelphia Eagles overcame a 17 point halftime deficit to get within one two-point conversion away from pushing the Baltimore Ravens into overtime. There are no moral victories in the NFL, but the Eagles proved that they can play with anyone if they execute.
With the Ravens in the rearview mirror, we take a look at Sunday’s snap count.
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Quarterback: Carson Wentz 72 snaps, Jalen Hurts 7 snaps
Hurts saw more action again on Sunday and his presence helped open things up for the Eagles offense against a Ravens defense that had been swarming. Hurts will likely see more action because the Eagles simply need to throw other defenses off.
Offensive Line: Jordan Mailata 72 snaps, Jamon Brown 72 snaps, Nate Herbig 72 snaps, Jason Kelce 72 snaps, Jack Driscoll 55 snaps, Bret Toth 17 snaps, Sua Opeta 4 snaps.
Brown was awful at right guard on Sunday and gave up a sack on the games first play from scrimmage. With Matt Pryor out, Brown was not the answer and the Eagles could look to shuffle some guys around before Thursday.
Running Back: Miles Sanders 29 snaps, Boston Scott 35 snaps, Corey Clement 7 snaps,
Sanders again broke off a long 74 run, he again went over 100 yards rushing in the contest despite not getting more than 9 carries and Sanders again left the game with an injury. The Eagles star running back will have an MRI on Monday for his ailing knee.
Wide Receivers: Greg Ward 58 snaps, Travis Fulgham 58 snaps, John Hightower 43 snaps, Quez Watkins 15 snaps, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside 12 snaps
Arcega-Whiteside finally got on the scoreboard, catching a two-point conversion and scoring a touchdown after recovering a Miles Sanders fumble on his long run. Ward and Fulgham were again consistent, with Fulgham getting the Eagles within two with a late touchdown over Marcus Peters.
Ward only saw three targets and had two receptions for 19 yards.
Tight End: Zach Ertz 48 snaps, Richard Rodgers 43 snaps, Jason Croom 1 snap
Ertz was targeted 10 times but only had four receptions for 33 yards, while Croom’s one offensive play resulted in a touchdown.
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Defensive Line: Fletcher Cox 57 snaps, Brandon Graham 44 snaps, Javon Hargrave 42 snaps, Derek Barnett 40 snaps, Josh Sweat 36 snaps, Malik Jackson 32 snaps, Vinny Curry 19 snaps, Hassan Ridgeway 15 snaps
Graham now ranks tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks with five after logging two against the Ravens. Josh Sweat continues to ascend and the Eagles defensive front as a whole has been nasty lately.
Linebackers: Nate Gerry 68 snaps, Alex Singleton 65 snaps, Shaun Bradley 32 snaps, Davion Taylor 11 snaps, Genard Avery 7.
Vinny Curry’s return limited Genard Avery’s snaps in a big way, while rookies Shaun Bradley and Davion Taylor are slowing seeing more time on the field. Gerry and Singleton both logged 9 tackles on Sunday.
Defensive Backs: Rodney McLeod 73 snaps, Darius Slay 73 snaps, Nickell Robey-Coleman 62 snaps, Jalen Mills 62 snaps, Will Parks 39, Cre’Von LeBlanc 23 snaps, Elijah Riley 2 snaps, Craig James 1 snap
McLeod is channeling his inner Malcolm Jenkins this season, logging all 73 snaps on defense and leading the Eagles by example. Will Parks made a difference in his Eagles debut while Elijah Riley logged a snap at safety.
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Eagles snap count vs. 49ers: Breakdown, analysis
The Philadelphia Eagles played a balanced game on both sides of the ball on Sunday night and it showed in the snap count with the offense running 62 plays and the defense being on the field for 73 total snaps.
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Quarterback: Carson Wentz 62 snaps, Jalen Hurts 4 snaps
Wentz played all 62 snaps and was joined on the field by Hurts, who was on the field with the Eagles starter for four plays of his own. Wentz hasn’t regained his MVP form, but he put his team in a position to win.
Wentz was 18 of 28 for 193 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while rushing for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Running backs: Miles Sanders 48 snaps, Boston Scott 9 snaps, Adrian Killins 8 snaps, Corey Clement 4 snaps.
The Eagles tried to get Killins and his speed involved and it’ll continue to be a work in progress, while Miles Sanders was nowhere to be found on the Eagles final scoring drive.
Wide Receiver: John Hightower 50 snaps, Greg Ward 48 snaps, Travis Fulgham 37 snaps, Deontay Burnett 19 snaps
The Eagles played with four active wide receivers and that allowed the young players to see some crucial snaps in a prime time scenario. John Hightower led the Eagles with 59 snaps, while the recently added Travis Fulgham logged 37 snaps including the deep TD pass from Carson Wentz.
Offensive line: Jordan Mailata 62 snaps, Nate Herbig 62 snaps, Jason Kelce 62 snaps, Matt Pryor 62 snaps, Lane Johnson 37 snaps, Jack Driscoll 27 snaps
Lane Johnson’s ankle issues bubbled up again and it caused him to be in and out of the lineup.
Jack Driscoll saw 27 snaps at right tackle as well. Jordan played all 62 snaps at left tackle and played well, and the Eagles once again had a young group of offensive linemen get valuable game experience.
Defensive Line: Brandon Graham 56 snaps, Fletcher Cox 50 snaps, Derek Barnett 43 snaps, Javon Hargrave 42 snaps, Malik Jackson 41 snaps, Josh Sweat 27 snaps, Hassan Ridgeway 23 snaps, Genard Avery 16 snaps
Avery only played 16 snaps, but it seemed like he was in on every play. Avery, Josh Sweat, Derek Barnett, Hassan Ridgeway, and Javon Hargrave accounted for sacks, and the Eagles racked up 15 total QB hits, with Avery accumulating five.
Linebackers: Nate Gerry 72 snaps, Duke Riley 47 snaps, T.J. Edwards 18 snaps, Alex Singelton 15 snaps, Shaun Bradley 2 snaps
Gerry appears to still be the apple of Jim Schwartz’s eyes, playing all 72 defensive downs on Sunday night. Singleton earned more playing time and made the play of the game with the pick-six.
Defensive Backs: Rodney McLeod 73 snaps, Jalen Mills 73 snaps, Darius Slay 73 snaps, Marcus Epps 44 snaps, Cre’Von LeBlanc 31 snaps, Nickell Robey-Coleman 30 snaps, K’Von Wallace 27 snaps.
The young rookie, K’Von Wallace got the start at safety and he spent most of the night being baptized by George Kittle. Slay was dominant once again at the cornerback position.
Six Philadelphia Eagles in danger of not making the 53-man roster
The Philadelphia Eagles waived 12 players on Thursday and placed Andre Dillard on injured reserve, officially ending his season. With the roster now sitting at 67 players, here are six players in danger of not making the 53 man roster.
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Jones should make the roster by default but he’s been outplayed by Craig James and he lost his position battle with Avonte Maddox. Cornerbacks are hard to find, but Jones could be the odd man out over the next few days.
Genard Avery dealing with bone-bruise in his knee
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The Philadelphia Eagles received some good news on Thursday when it was revealed that Genard Avery was listed as day to day with a lower-body injury.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Avery suffered a bone bruise in his knee and should be good to go for the season opener.
#Eagles DE Genard Avery, who was carted off yesterday at practice, suffered a bone-bruise in his knee that is not nearly as serious as it looked, source said. Some positive news.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2020
Avery was acquired by the Eagles from the Cleveland Browns for a fourth-round pick during the 2019 season.
Avery (illness) didn’t practice Tuesday, after leaving Monday’s practice early due to an undisclosed injury.
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Genard Avery listed as day to day with a lower-body injury
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The Eagles received some really good news on Thursday when talented pass rusher Genard Avery was listed as day to day with a lower-body injury after being carted off from practice on Wednesday.
#Eagles additional to injury report:
Genard Avery (lower body) day to day.
Joe Ostman (lower body) day to day.Avery’s injury looked ominous, but apparently isn’t as serious as thought.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 27, 2020
defensive end Joe Ostman was also listed as day to day, while left tackle Andre Dillard was at practice to start but is sidelined with Jordan Mailata and Matt Pryor getting reps with the first-team tackles.
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