PHILADELPHIA — With less than three weeks remaining before their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio still hasn’t decided who will start across from cornerback Quinyon Mitchell this year.
Fangio told reporters Monday that the CB2 competition is still very close. Adoree’ Jackson, Jakorian Bennett and Kelee Ringo are considered the top starting candidates, but Fangio said fifth-round rookie Mac McWilliams is also in the mix.
It would be one thing if all the cornerbacks were playing well, making it difficult to pick a starter.
But the Eagles have the opposite problem. Nobody has been good enough during training camp to win the job.
As a last resort, Fangio could move second-year cornerback Cooper DeJean from the nickel to the boundary.
For the first time this summer, DeJean played on the boundary today in base looks. To consider making a permeant switch with DeJean, Fangio said one of his backup nickels would have to emerge into a quality starter, which hasn’t happened yet.
At some point, the Eagles might have no choice but to switch DeJean’s position.
Opposing quarterbacks could pick on Philadelphia’s second cornerback. Turning to DeJean could potentially solve that issue.
Here’s everything else that happened during Monday’s practice:
Injuries
Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (back) returned to practice as a full participant and moved well during team drills. Five players missed practice: wide receiver A.J. Brown (hamstring), cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields (hamstring), safety Lewis Cine (groin), offensive guard Landon Dickerson (knee) and cornerback Brandon Johnson (groin). Three more players were limited: offensive guard Kenyon Green (shoulder), offensive tackle Lane Johnson (rest) and cornerback AJ Woods (illness).
Depth chart
Mitchell and Jackson lined up on the boundary and DeJean moved back to the slot in nickel looks.
McWilliams also rotated in with the starters.
Ringo didn’t receive any first-team reps. He has seemingly fallen out of favor with Fangio.
Rookie safety Drew Mukuba ran with the first-team defense more than Sydney Brown, but they both took turns.
On the field
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was pinpoint accurate, especially in the middle of the field. Hurts’ top targets were wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson and tight end Dallas Goedert.
Rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell has become a playmaker on defense. He got into the backfield and tipped Hurts’ pass and later had a PBU on Goedert.
Undrafted free agent Darius Cooper caught two passes on Ringo and another against Mitchell. He took snaps with the first-team offense, which bodes well for his chances of making the 53-man roster.
Dotson looks more comfortable in the offense this year. He beat Mitchell on a crosser and DeJean on a slant.
Edge rusher Patrick Johnson got into the backfield and had one sack. He could make the 53.
Smith beat DeJean for a touchdown in the left side of the end zone. The coverage was good.
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