The Eagles left Nashville with a win, and for the rookie class, Sunday was more about flashes than volume.
Makai Lemon offered the clearest sign of life. His Week 1 debut was weird enough already, with negative five yards receiving after the Eagles leaned on screens and shuffle passes that never really clicked. Against Tennessee, Philadelphia went right back to the shuffle game, and this time Lemon absorbed another five-yard loss - only for the play to be credited as a rushing attempt instead of a catch.
The real takeaway came on his first meaningful target. Lemon settled into a route nicely, Jalen Hurts found him in the middle of the field, and he secured a 14-yard catch with traffic around him. That’s the kind of slot work the Eagles want to keep building with him, and it’s the sort of play that hints at a larger role as the season moves along and Hurts continues to attack the middle of the field more often.
Elsewhere among the rookies, the picture was much murkier.
Cam Jurgens struggled badly at guard, and if Philadelphia decides to keep Drew Kendall at center - where he played well - there could come a point later this season when Jurgens is benched if the rough stretch continues. If that happens, Micah Morris could climb the depth chart behind Willie Lampkin.
The other concern is at tight end, where the Dallas Goedert injury leaves the group looking thin. Even with Zach Ertz now in the mix, the position still feels shaky. Eli Stowers needs to give the Eagles something this season, even if it’s only a little, and he can’t return to the active roster until Week 5 at the earliest.
In Other News...
DeVonta Smith Just Gave The Eagles A New Offensive Worry
DeVonta Smiths status is suddenly something the Eagles have to monitor closely, with the wideout missing Thursdays practice because of a hamstring injury. Its a familiar concern for Philadelphia after Smith dealt with a hamstring issue earlier in training camp, and the timing matters with another game coming up against the Bears.
Smith was a key part of the offense in the win over Tennessee, so any setback there carries real weight for the Eagles passing game. If he cannot go, the offense may need to lean more heavily on Dontayvion Wicks, who would be in line for a bigger workload depending on how the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Injury Report Looks Bad But One Detail Changes The Panic
The Eagles Week 3 injury report looks crowded enough to make anyone pause, with several offensive names either missing or limited in practice. Running backs Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley and Saquon Barkley all showed up on it, along with wide receiver DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert, while the defensive side included Jalen Carter, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Mukuba in some form of participation.
Still, the timing softens the alarm a bit, because Philadelphia has an extra day to get ready before its Monday night matchup with the Chicago Bears. That matters when the list includes players who are still working through the week rather than being fully shut down, and it gives the Eagles a little more runway to sort out who is truly in danger of missing game day and who is simply dealing with the usual late-September wear and tear. [Read more 🡒]
Zach Ertzs Return Hints At Eagles Plan For A Key Young Tight End
Zach Ertz finally spoke publicly after re-signing with the Eagles, and his return offered a clear glimpse at part of the plan in Philadelphia. The veteran tight end is set up to help guide rookie Eli Stowers, a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft who is currently on injured reserve and still waiting for his first NFL snap after injuries and the usual adjustment curve of pro football.
For a team that has long valued tight end play, bringing Ertz back is about more than nostalgia. His willingness to help Stowers develop suggests the Eagles see a real long-term role for the young player, and they are giving him a chance to learn before he ever gets on the field. For now, the intrigue is in how much growth Philadelphia can unlock once Stowers is healthy enough to join the mix. [Read more 🡒]