Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Instant analysis of the Eagles signing CB Steven Nelson
The Eagles’ patience paid off, as Howie Roseman was able to add another talented cornerback to the roster, at a bargain price.
After signing Steven Nelson to a one-year deal, worth $4 million, Philadelphia’s secondary is quietly ascending up the boards.
Here’s a breakdown of Nelson’s arrival and what it means.
Eagles CB unit lands in the top-25 of a PFF ranking of all 32 NFL teams
The Eagles have one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL with Darius Slay, but the position opposite the veteran is lacking top-notch talent and depth.
Philadelphia drafted Zech McPhearson in the fourth round, while veteran cornerback Avonte Maddox is playing for a new contract and should see time back in the slot. Pro Football Focus just ranked the cornerback units for all 32 NFL teams, and the Eagles landed in the top-25, at No. 25 overall.
25. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
It’s been two years since Darius Slay played at an elite level. His PFF grade dropped from 90.0 over a five-year stint in Detroit to just 59.5 across the past two years. The Eagles need him to return to that earlier form because their cornerback depth leaves a lot to be desired. Avonte Maddox (37.1 coverage grade in 2020) and fourth-round rookie Zech McPhearson are among the most notable names behind Slay on the depth chart.Bringing in safety Anthony Harris on a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason was good value for the Eagles. Harris finished fifth among all safeties in PFF WAR across the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Only the Seahawks, Jaguars, Jets, Raiders, Lions, Cowboys, and Falcons have cornerback units ranked lower.
Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon says he’s comfortable with the cornerbacks on the roster, while players such as Michael Jacquet, Kevon Seymour, Lavert Hill, Shakial Taylor, and others could see improved results thanks to Philadelphia playing more zone this season.
[vertical-gallery id=649252]
[lawrence-related id=650212,650209,650202,650169,650173]
Eagles vs. Washington Injury Report: 8 players miss practice, 4 others listed as limited
Thursday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/5Hh8RYKkhm
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 31, 2020
The Philadelphia Eagles released their Thursday injury report for Sunday’s matchup against Washington and 8 players missed practice with ailments.
Michael Jacquet was among 4 players listed as limited participants.
Washington's practice/injury report:
DNP
Thomas Davis
Antonio Gibson
Terry McLaurin
Wes SchweitzerLIMITED
Alex Smith
Kevin Pierre-LouisFULL
Jonathan Allen
Tim Settle— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 31, 2020
For Washington, Alex Smith was a limited participant and looks on track to start on Sunday night, while star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, did not practice and worked off to the side.
Eagles snap counts vs. Cowboys: Breakdown, analysis
[jwplayer KHZAgssv]
The Philadelphia Eagles were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday with their 37-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on the road.
The Eagles blew a 17-3 lead and struggled to maintain any type of pass rush after Fletcher Cox exited the ball game.
Philadelphia was already playing without Josh Sweat and Derek Barnett. The loss of three defenders was felt in the overall snap count.
***
Hurts had his biggest output from a yardage standpoint but may have played his poorest game as a pro, with three total turnovers.
Sanders carried the ball 15-times, for 57-yards and a touchdown, while Scott had 2 carries and no targets in the passing game.
DeSean Jackson returned to the lineup and hooked up with Jalen Hurts for an 81-yard TD pass. Jackson didn’t record another catch afterward.
Ertz led the duo in snaps, but both players logged 3 catches for less than 40-yards.
Mailata left the game with a head injury, while Hurts was sacked 3 times in the afternoon.
The Eagles lost Cox early and the pass rush seemed to disappear along with it. Brandon Graham led the Eagles in snaps, while T.Y. McGill got a season-high 23 snaps.
Singleton paced the Eagles in snaps and was second on the team in total tackles.
Marcus Epps led the Eagles in tackles, giving some insight into how successful Andy Dalton was on the day. Michael Jacquet had his roughest outing as a pro after some early season success.
[listicle id=644336]
[lawrence-related id=645131,645127,645111]
Michael Jacquet led the Eagles cornerbacks in snaps in place of Darius Slay
The Eagles battled on Sunday but came up short, losing to the Arizona Cardinals on the road, 33-26.
With Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, and Rodney McLeod all out, the Eagles were paced at cornerback by Kevon Seymour and Michael Jacquet in snaps.
***
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts 83 snaps
The Eagles rookie led Philadelphia, going 24 of 44 for 338 yards and four touchdowns in the loss.
Running Back: Miles Sanders 69 snaps, Boston Scott 15 snaps,
Sanders led the Eagles with 17 rushing attempts, accounting for 64 yards.
Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffery 52 snaps, Jalen Reagor 46 snaps, Greg Ward 44 snaps, Quez Watkins 28 snaps, Travis Fulgham 26 snaps
Alshon Jeffery led the Eagles in snaps, while Quez Watkins scored his first career NFL TD on a 32-yard bubble screen.
Tight End: Dallas Goedert 73 snaps, Zach Ertz 62 snaps
Goedert outpaced Ertz in snaps and catches, but Ertz led all Eagles pass catchers with 69 yards.
Offensive Line: Nate Herbig 83 snaps, Matt Pryor 83 snaps, Isaac Seumalo 83 snaps, Jason Kelce 83 snaps, Jordan Mailata 83 snaps
Pryor struggled at right tackle all night and was responsible for at least two of the sacks quarterback Jalen Hurts suffered. Mailata was again dominant at left tackle.
Defensive Line: Fletcher Cox 56 snaps, Derek Barnett 52 snaps, Brandon Graham 41 snaps, Javon Hargrave 39 snaps, Malik Jackson 30 snaps, Vinny Curry 27 snaps, Raequan Williams 11 snaps, Josh Sweat 4 snaps,
Sweat left the game early with a wrist injury, while Fletcher Cox led the Eagles defensive line with 4 tackles.
Linebacker: Alex Singleton 66 snaps, Duke Riley 47 snaps, T.J. Edwards 20 snaps, Genard Avery 11 snaps,
Alex Singleton led the Eagles will 11 total tackles
Defensive Backs: Marcus Epps 68 snaps, Michael Jacquet 68 snaps, Jalen Mills 68 snaps, Nickell Robey-Coleman 67 snaps, Kevon Seymour 47 snaps, K’Von Wallace 23 snaps,
With the bulk of the Eagles secondary out with an injury, Marcus Epps and Jalen Mills paced the Eagles at safety, while Michael Jacquet and Kevon Seymour led at cornerback. Nickell Robey-Coleman had his most solid game as an Eagles, getting half a sack while logging 10 tackles.
Jacquet was strong all night, logging a sack and forcing a fumble on DeAndre Hopkins.
[listicle id=644853]
[lawrence-related id=644842,644813,644802]
Darius Slay and Malik Jackson are both questionable for the Week 15 game vs. Cardinals with concussions
#PHIvsAZ Status Report pic.twitter.com/onysjfRPPt
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 18, 2020
The Eagles released their final injury report for Sunday’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, with Darius Slay and Malik Jackson both questionable with concussions.
Jack Driscoll and Avonte Maddox were both ruled out, while Grayland Arnold is also questionable with a hamstring injury.
Shaun Bradley, Josh Sweat, Rudy Ford, and Fletcher Cox all got in a full practice, as well as T.J. Edwards, who should make his return to the lineup.
[listicle id=644555]
[lawrence-related id=644741,644735,644732,644730]
Eagles vs. Saints Inactives: Quez Watkins active, John Hightower healthy scratch
[jwplayer iAsrOKEP]
The Eagles released their inactives list for Sunday’s matchup against the Saints and rookie Quez Watkins be active at the wide receiver position.
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is also active, while John Hightower is a healthy scratch for the Eagles who’ll start Jalen Hurts at quarterback.
#NOvsPHI Inactives pic.twitter.com/LChlPemTVx
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 13, 2020
Watkins has built a rapport with Jalen Hurts on the scout team and was likely inserted into the lineup in hopes of familiarity breeding success.
Grayland Arnold will miss the game with a hamstring injury, as will Michael Jacquet as well.
Philadelphia promoted Kevon Seymour from the practice squad and elevated rookie Jameson Houston for this game, while Darius Slay is active despite a calf injury.
[listicle id=644505]
[lawrence-related id=644507,644503,644474]
Eagles CB Darius Slay avoids serious knee injury after MRI
[jwplayer VXrQ9EkG]
Darius Slay left Sunday’s game against the Packers with a knee injury, but a Monday MRI revealed no serious damage according to a report from Ian Rapoport.
#Eagles CB Darius Slay, who left Sunday’s loss because of his knee, is not believed to have suffered a major injury, source said. Nothing serious.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2020
Slay entered Sunday questionable with a calf injury but started and shadowed Packers star Davante Adams for the bulk of the contest.
Adams finished with 10 catches for 121 yards, and Slay was forced to leave the game with a knee injury.
Rookie Michael Jacquet played cornerback in Slay’s place.
[listicle id=644278]
[lawrence-related id=644317,644310,644291,644285]
Eagles sign CB Michael Jacquet from the practice squad to the active roster
[jwplayer n73ie9r3]
The Philadelphia Eagles are struggling at the cornerback position and have a couple of open roster spots so the team announced that undrafted rookie cornerback Michael Jacquet has been signed from the practice squad to the active roster.
Roster Moves: #Eagles have signed CB Michael Jacquet from the practice squad to the active roster and signed RB Adrian Killins to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/Wv7bvm79rE
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 17, 2020
A rookie free agent out of Louisiana-Lafayette, Jacquet was called up from the practice squad to the active roster in each of the past two games. In the Week 8 win over Dallas, Jacquet played 30 snaps on defense in his NFL debut.
The Eagles had an opening on the roster at the position after placing cornerback Craig James on Injured Reserve on Monday with a shoulder injury.
[listicle id=643462]
[lawrence-related id=643503,643470,643506,643475]
Eagles elevate CB Michael Jacquet from the practice squad to the active roster for game vs. Giants
The Philadelphia Eagles have elevated cornerback Michael Jacquet to the active roster in advance of Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants.
Roster Moves: #Eagles have elevated CB Michael Jacquet and TE Caleb Wilson from the practice squad to the active roster for #PHIvsNYG.
Eagles have also elevated DT T.Y. McGill from the practice squad as COVID-19 replacement. pic.twitter.com/bUFAN7bmtG
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 14, 2020
Jacquet, an undrafted rookie free agent, was called up before the Dallas game in Week 8 and played 30 snaps on defense in his NFL debut. Jacquet was one of the highest-graded rookies in Week 8 and had defensive coordinator singing his praises this week.
Cornerback Craig James, a special teams captain, is out with a shoulder injury.
