The Eagles got out of Week 1 with a 24-22 win over the Washington Commanders, and while the result will matter most in the standings, the game also put a few under-the-radar contributors on the board. It wasn’t a clean performance, but Philadelphia still found a way to move to 1-0 again.
What stands out from that NFC East matchup is how many little plays shaped the outcome. A handful of Eagles didn’t grab headlines, but they absolutely helped tilt the game in Philadelphia’s favor.
Johnny Mundt was one of them. In his Eagles debut, he didn’t pile up flashy numbers, but Pro Football Focus still graded him as the third-best pass blocker on the team in Week 1 with a 75.3. That kind of work is exactly why he can matter as a blocking tight end in a way Grant Calcaterra couldn’t last year.
Tank Bigsby also made his presence felt in a way that won’t show up in a lot of box-score chatter. On the Jalen Hurts-Dontayvion Wicks touchdown pass, Bigsby handled the crucial block on a blitz that helped keep Hurts upright. It was the kind of hidden contribution that can swing a drive.
Darius Cooper was busy on special teams, where he looked like the best player on the unit. He finished with four tackles on coverage, and that adds another layer to what the Eagles have seen from him after he was praised as a receiver in training camp.
Jordan Davis turned in a strong day in the middle of the defense, even if it didn’t get the attention it deserved. He recorded eight tackles, and the hope is that this becomes the year he earns his first Pro Bowl selection.
Braden Mann had a huge role in field position, punting seven times and averaging 51.6 yards per punt. More than the raw average, he did a good job of pinning the Commanders deep, which made him a major weapon for Philadelphia in the win.
Makai Lemon didn’t have much going as a receiver, but he still found ways to help. On the Eagles’ third-and-18, his block helped open the lane for Hurts to gain 22 yards on the ground. Lemon is still developing, but his work in the blocking game deserves notice.
In Other News...
Eagles Suddenly Have A Big Chance To Solve A Costly Problem
Landon Dickersons injury has opened a familiar kind of door for the Eagles, the kind that can matter just as much to the cap sheet as it does to the lineup. With one of their most important interior linemen expected to miss at least four games, Philadelphia suddenly has a live test for Drew Kendall, the 2025 fifth-round pick who has been cross-training at guard and now gets a real chance to show he can handle it in game action.
For a team that has poured major money into its defense, finding dependable offensive line production from younger, cheaper players is more than a convenience, it is a necessity. If Kendall holds up, the Eagles could be looking at a long-term answer in a spot where proven depth is usually expensive, and this stretch now becomes a significant evaluation period for a player the organization already views as someone who could start down the line. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Have A Cooper DeJean Concern After Rough Debut
Cooper DeJeans first NFL game already came with plenty to unpack, and now it has created a health question for the Eagles as well. The rookie defensive back missed Wednesdays practice because of an undisclosed injury he picked up in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed DeJean was dinged during the game.
For Philadelphia, the timing is less than ideal. DeJean had a rough debut, giving up several big plays and drawing penalties, and his availability for Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans is now uncertain. The Eagles were already sorting through the ups and downs of a young player getting thrown into the fire, and now they have to monitor whether he can get back on the field in time to help clean it up. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Already Have A Backfield Question Behind Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley remains the clear engine of the Eagles backfield, and he looked the part against Washington. But the more intriguing storyline tucked behind his workload is the uncertainty over who, exactly, is next in line if Philadelphia needs help at running back. Tank Bigsby entered the game listed as the primary backup, yet his role never quite matched that billing, leaving the depth chart looking a little more fluid than the team likely expected.
Kenneth Shipley wound up drawing more attention than Bigsby, even though he was initially viewed as a candidate to get cut. His heavier usage and visible impact suggest the Eagles may have more to sort through at the position than just Barkleys workload management. For a team that wants stability behind its featured back, the early answer is not nearly as settled as the depth chart made it seem. [Read more 🡒]