Charley Hughlett Nears Return - and the Eagles Might Need Him More Than Ever
The Philadelphia Eagles have been looking for a spark, and they just might have found one - not from a star quarterback or a big-name wideout, but from a long snapper. Yes, you read that right.
Charley Hughlett, the veteran special teams anchor, is officially in the return-to-play window after spending over two months on injured reserve with a core muscle injury. And while his position rarely grabs headlines, his absence has quietly coincided with some of the Eagles’ most frustrating football this season.
Let’s be clear: long snappers don’t usually get this kind of attention. They show up, do their job with surgical precision, and disappear into the background - unless something goes wrong.
But in Philly’s case, Hughlett’s absence hasn’t just been noticeable. It’s been costly.
Before Hughlett went down in late September, the Eagles were rolling at 4-0. Since then?
A middling 4-5 stretch that includes a current three-game skid. And while there are plenty of factors behind the slide - including inconsistent offensive play and mounting pressure on quarterback Jalen Hurts - the special teams unit has quietly taken a hit that’s affected the scoreboard.
The most telling stat? Kicker Jake Elliott was perfect with Hughlett snapping.
Since then, he’s missed six kicks. That’s not a coincidence.
The timing, rhythm, and trust between a long snapper, holder, and kicker are built over countless reps. When that chemistry gets disrupted, even the most reliable kickers can falter.
Elliott’s recent struggles speak volumes about how much the Eagles have missed Hughlett’s steady presence.
Now, with Hughlett nearing a return, the Eagles are hoping to stabilize one of the game’s most overlooked but critical units. And the timing couldn’t be better.
Philly is staring down a must-win stretch if it wants to keep pace in the NFC East. The Cowboys are surging toward double-digit wins, and the Eagles likely need to take three of their final four to stay in the hunt for the division crown.
That starts with a matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders - a team that, on paper, the Eagles should beat. But with momentum slipping and confidence wavering, nothing can be taken for granted.
After the Raiders, it’s two games against Washington and a tough test against a Buffalo Bills squad that’s clawing for playoff position. In short, there’s no room for error - and no margin for shaky special teams play.
Hughlett’s return won’t fix everything, but it could be the kind of under-the-radar boost that helps settle things down. A clean snap.
A confident hold. A kick through the uprights.
It’s the kind of sequence that can restore rhythm and confidence - not just for Elliott, but for a team trying to find its footing again.
And make no mistake, Elliott needs Hughlett back as much as anyone. Every NFL kicker lives on a razor’s edge, and a few more misses could put his job security in question. With Hughlett back in the fold, Elliott gets the snapper he trusts most - and the Eagles get one more piece of their puzzle back in place.
The Eagles still have Super Bowl aspirations. They’ve got the talent.
They’ve got the experience. But they need to stop the bleeding - and fast.
Getting Hughlett back might not lead the highlight reel, but it could be one of the most important developments of the season.
Because in December football, every snap counts - especially the ones nobody talks about.