It feels good to finally have Eagles football, or practice, back for now. With an extra day off before a trip to Green Bay on MNF, the Eagles have had 15 days since their last game.
For a team that didn’t play last weekend, the Eagles came out huge winners of both the trade deadline, and the NFC Standings.
Trade Deadline Shopping
While being rumored (again) to pay the price for Myles Garrett. The Eagles managed to escape the trade deadline without blowing any major capital, and still were able to take advantage of the Jets fire sale.
Michael Carter was acquired from the New York Jets alongside a 2027 7th round pick. The Eagles sent back WR John Metchie and a 2027 6th round pick. Acquiring depth in the secondary gives the opportunity to move Cooper DeJean outside and Carter into the slot. We’ll have to wait and see if Carter was acquired to get serious reps, or bolster a position recently tattered with injuries.
Jaire Alexander was traded from the Baltimore Ravens. Also coming to Philadelphia is a 2027 7th round pick. For the grand total of a 2026 6th round pick. This move provides the Eagles a 3rd option at CB2 between Kelee Ringo & Adoree Jackson, and still keeps Cooper DeJean in the slot.
Jaelan Phillips was the Eagles biggest move before the Tuesday deadline. Only costing a 3rd round pick, the Eagles acquired a 26 year old OLB that has totaled 26 sacks in 5 seasons. Missing time due to injury is a concern, but with multiple DL players returning this weekend the Eagles depth provides plenty of rotational options.
The Eagles escaped the deadline acquiring 3 players, and still hold 5 picks heading into the 2026 Draft next April. Including a Jets 3rd round pick and projected to acquire 3 Comp picks in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds.
Returning From Injury
On top of their trade deadline additions to the team. The Eagles have also managed to get healthy just in time for another gauntlet in the schedule.
Opening the practice window for Jakorian Bennett, Willie Lampkin and Nolan Smith in the previous weeks provided the Eagles time to juggle their active roster and the practice squad, with depth returning at the right time.
With A.J. Brown missing another game this season, add in a concern to Saquon’s health at the end of the Giants game prior to the Bye. There was major concern what the Eagles injury report would look like coming off the Bye week.
The good news is, nearly everyone has returned from injury as the following players were full participants
- Moro Ojomo
- Saquon Barkley
- A.J. Brown
- Jakorian Bennett
- Nolan Smith
- Willie Lampkin
The only players who were DNP at Fridays practice were Adoree Jackson & Cam Jurgens. After giving Dickerson a few weeks of rest, perhaps Jurgens getting some extra time will allow the Eagles Offensive Line to return to being what it once was. The best in the league.
A Successful Bye Week
During the Bye, the Eagles jumped all the way up to the #1 seed in the NFC, as most teams that played managed to the Eagles a favor.
Even following the Giants game Week 8, the Eagles had some help from their NFC East Rivals.
- The Commanders lost 7-28 to the Chiefs and fell to 3-5
- The Cowboys got blown out by the Broncos 44-24 and fell to 3-4-1
In Week 9, the following teams helped the Eagles climb the standings
- The Vikings (4-4) held on to beat their division rival Lions 27-24(5-3)
- Carolina (5-4) managed to upset the Packers and send them to 5-2-1
- Seattle took care of business and sent Washington to 3-6 following a 38-14 rout
- Jacoby Brissett gave us the icing on the cake, with a 27-17 win over the Cowboys. Sending the 2nd placed team in the NFC East to 3-5-1.
With an opportunity to grow their lead on the division, and the rest of the NFC with a trip to Green Bay. Will the Eagles come out on top against a Packers team struggling to play their best football?
Go Birds.
The post How The Eagles Fared During The Bye Week appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.