The Eagles’ early-season mess has put a spotlight on the players who are trying to steady the ship before they even get to free agency. After a 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, Philadelphia sits at 2-2 and is dealing with injuries and problems all over the roster. That has made every snap feel a little more important for the team’s pending 2027 free agents.
One of the clearest changes came with Riq Woolen. His role shifted once Quinyon Mitchell went down with a knee injury against the Rams, and Woolen suddenly found himself in a much bigger spot.
The results were uneven when he was asked to handle CB1 duties. Puka Nacua got the better of him, including a 28-yard completion where Woolen got Mossed by Nacua.
Through four weeks, Pro Football Focus has Woolen at a 60.5 overall grade, and he has allowed a passer rating of 95.8. The upside is still there, but if Mitchell misses more time, Woolen’s workload is only going to grow.
Michael Carter II, meanwhile, made the kind of Week 4 push that can change how a team uses him. With Marcus Epps hurt, Carter stepped in and delivered a strong performance against the Rams, including multiple pass deflections. He looked like a player who could deserve a full-time starting look at safety, and the Eagles may give him that opportunity in Week 5 and beyond.
The injury list is part of the story too, and it’s hitting several of the team’s future free agents. Dallas Goedert has missed the last two games.
Tank Bigsby is headed to IR with a new knee injury. Hollywood Brown, Marcus Epps, Fred Johnson, and Grant Calcaterra have also dealt with injuries at different points this season.
For a group trying to establish itself, it’s been a rough stretch.
Johnny Mundt hasn’t given the Eagles what they were hoping for at TE2. He signed a one-year deal with the idea that he could help in pass protection and contribute to the run game, but that hasn’t really taken hold. His blocking has been inconsistent, and the production has left something to be desired.
Tyler Steen has been one of the few steady hands on an offensive line that has been anything but calm. With Cam Jurgens struggling and now injured after Landon Dickerson’s IR trip, Steen has quietly held things together.
He has allowed four pressures in 146 pass-blocking-only snaps, and Pro Football Focus has him at a 72.8 grade, which ranks 17th out of 74 eligible guards. After taking plenty of heat last year, Steen has earned credit for the job he’s done in the middle of all this chaos.
In Other News...
Eagles Pass Game Gets A Huge Week 5 Test Against Jacksonville
The Eagles head into Week 5 with their offense in a tricky spot, and the matchup in Jacksonville looks like the kind that can force some answers. With Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith likely unavailable, Philadelphia may have to lean harder than usual on its passing game, which has not been especially sharp so far. Even so, the Jaguars have struggled against the pass, giving the Eagles a clear opening to get something going through the air.
Jacksonvilles stout run defense adds another layer to the challenge, making it even more likely that Sean Mannion and Jalen Hurts will need to guide the game plan with the ball in hand. For an Eagles attack that has been searching for rhythm, this is the kind of opponent that can either help restore some confidence or deepen the questions. How much progress Philadelphia makes in this one could say plenty about where the passing game stands right now. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Hurts Opens Up On Eagles Line Shakeup Before Week 5
Jalen Hurts spent part of the week reflecting on two familiar faces no longer in the mix, acknowledging the departure of Cam Jurgens and Lane Johnson and thanking them for what they meant to the group. For an Eagles offense built on continuity up front, losing linemen who have been part of the everyday rhythm is never a small thing, especially this deep into the season.
Hurts also made clear the next man up mentality is already in motion, describing the new starters as hungry and eager to compete. As Philadelphia turns toward Week 5, the focus has shifted quickly from what was lost to how the unit responds, with Hurts stressing commitment and teamwork as the best way to keep the offense moving in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Johnson Decision Sparked An Eagles Debate Fans Will Understand
Lane Johnsons mid-season retirement hit the Eagles with the kind of jolt that reaches far beyond the offensive line. A veteran cornerstone stepping away in the middle of the year is never a small thing, especially for a team built around toughness and continuity, and Johnson said his decision was tied to mental health reasons. The news immediately shifted the conversation from football to something more personal, with the focus landing on what it means when a player decides he needs to step away.
Stephen A. Smith only added to the controversy when he criticized the timing of Johnsons move, drawing a swift backlash from around the Eagles orbit. Former teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson was among those who pushed back publicly, and the response was strong enough that Smith later apologized. Even in a league that rarely slows down for anything, this became one of those moments that reminded everyone how quickly a football story can turn into a bigger conversation about respect, judgment and where the line is when it comes to mental health. [Read more 🡒]