As the Eagles gear up for a Monday night showdown with the Chargers, all eyes are on a defense still licking its wounds from last week's struggles against the Bears. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stepped up to the podium Wednesday and didn’t shy away from the tough questions. He addressed the run defense issues, gave updates on key players like Jalen Carter and Marcus Epps, and offered some insight into how the rotation could shift moving forward.
Run Defense Woes - And What’s Ahead
Let’s start with the obvious: the Eagles got gashed on the ground by Chicago. Fangio owned it.
“They run the ball very well,” he said of the Bears. “I didn’t do a good enough job preparing our squad for the quality and the diversity of their run game.”
That’s not just coach-speak - it’s a direct acknowledgment that both the game plan and execution fell short. Fangio pointed to breakdowns in technique and admitted the defense didn’t play the run or take on blocks the way they had in previous weeks.
And here’s the kicker: the Chargers aren’t exactly a breather. They’ve already posted a pair of 200-yard rushing games this season. Fangio knows his group can’t afford another off night up front.
“We’ll have to play the run well enough that they don’t go to that a bunch,” he said, “and not give up much in the play-action game.”
Translation: if the Eagles don’t tighten things up in the trenches, they could be in for a long night.
Marcus Epps Could Be Back in the Mix
One potential reinforcement? Marcus Epps. The veteran safety was activated from injured reserve this week, and Fangio didn’t rule out the possibility of him jumping right back into a starting role - if he’s ready.
“He’s an experienced safety. He’s got good instincts, got a good feel for the game,” Fangio said. “We’ll have to get a feel, a barometer [of] where he’s at missing the last four, five weeks.”
It’s been a revolving door at safety recently, with Sydney Brown getting the start last week. Fangio described Brown’s performance as a mixed bag - which, to be fair, applied to much of the defense against Chicago.
Jalen Carter Battling Through a Shoulder Injury
Jalen Carter’s name came up, and while the second-year defensive tackle had some flashes last week, Fangio confirmed he’s been battling a shoulder issue - something he’s been playing through.
“Late in the game, he had a great game with it,” Fangio said. “But yeah, it’s definitely something there.”
With Carter banged up, rookie Ty Robinson could finally get a look. He’s been inactive most weeks due to depth needs elsewhere, but that could change if Carter’s reps need to be managed.
Jaelan Phillips Fitting in Seamlessly
On a brighter note, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips seems to be settling in just fine after his midseason arrival.
“He likes being here, the other players like him being here,” Fangio said. “He’s a good dude, and we’re thrilled to have him.”
Phillips’ presence brings some added juice to the pass rush - and in a game where the Eagles may need to pressure a banged-up quarterback, that could be critical.
Jihaad Campbell Could See More Action
Fangio also reflected on his decision not to get rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell on the field against Chicago - a move he now second-guesses.
“I probably should’ve gotten him in for a few snaps,” he admitted.
Instead, the Eagles leaned on Nakobe Dean, who Fangio said is strong against the run. But with the defense struggling in that area, Campbell might get a chance to show what he can do. Fangio didn’t commit to a specific plan but said they’ll look for opportunities to work him in, depending on how the game unfolds.
Preparing for Two Quarterbacks
With Justin Herbert undergoing surgery on his non-throwing hand earlier this week, the Eagles are preparing for both him and backup Trey Lance. Fangio noted that if Herbert plays, they expect him to operate mostly out of the pistol or shotgun - but from a defensive standpoint, that doesn’t drastically change their approach.
The bigger challenge might be the unknowns that come with preparing for two very different quarterbacks. Herbert brings the arm talent and experience, while Lance offers more mobility and unpredictability. Either way, the Eagles will need to stay disciplined.
Cornerback Situation Settled - For Now
As for the cornerback picture, Fangio didn’t wade into the buzz surrounding a possible reunion with Darius Slay. What he did say is that, for now, Adoree’ Jackson has locked down the CB2 spot opposite James Bradberry. There’s no active rotation between Jackson, Jakorian Bennett, and Kelee Ringo - at least not at this point.
Managing Defensive Snaps and Rotations
Fangio wrapped things up with a bit of philosophy on defensive rhythm and rotation. He emphasized that while the defense can’t control when they’re called onto the field, they can control how quickly they get off it. And that’s where snap counts start to matter - especially for the big guys up front.
The Eagles are heading into a matchup that could get physical fast, and Fangio knows it. With the run defense under the microscope, a banged-up star in Jalen Carter, and the potential for a quarterback carousel in L.A., this game could test the depth and discipline of Philly’s defense in a big way.
The good news? Fangio isn’t sugarcoating anything - and that’s usually the first step toward fixing it.