The Eagles open the season against the Washington Commanders, and for a roster that saw a lot of rookie turnover after preseason cuts, Week 1 is less about a big first-year class and more about the few young players still in real contributing spots.
The first name to watch is Makai Lemon, and the biggest question isn’t what he does with the ball - it’s whether he gets enough chances to matter at all. Lemon missed a lot of time this summer because of a hamstring injury, and even though he got some snaps in the final preseason game, there’s still plenty of reason to wonder how involved he’ll be early on.
He’s listed as the Eagles’ starting WR3 and punt returner on the team-issued depth chart, but that label may not tell the whole story. Philadelphia has veteran receivers in DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore and fan-favorite Darius Cooper, so Lemon could end up rotating in and out as he works his way back up to speed. For Week 1, the real test is how often he’s on the field, not just what he does once he’s there.
The other rookie situation worth tracking is Eli Stowers, and the picture there is even murkier. His jump to the NFL has been a tough one so far, and while his story is nowhere near finished, he has a long way to go before he’s a regular part of the offense.
Stowers is currently buried on the depth chart, likely as the fourth tight end. If he even dresses for the game, the margin for error is tiny. Every chance he gets on offense or special teams has to count.
In Other News...
Eagles Bring Back A Familiar Returner With Unfinished Business
The Eagles added a familiar face to their practice squad, signing wide receiver and return specialist Xavier Gipson after he was waived by the Giants. Philadelphia also moved wide receiver Danny Gray to injured reserve in the corresponding roster move, giving the team a bit of extra backfield and special teams depth as it continues sorting through the back end of the roster.
Gipson is no stranger to the organization, having spent time with the Eagles last season, and his value comes with his ability to help on kickoff returns. For a team that always pays close attention to hidden yardage and the return game, bringing him back fits the kind of practical, low-risk move that can matter later, especially if the Eagles need another option in that phase of the game. [Read more 🡒]
Saquon Barkley Revealed The Early Setback That Shaped His Mindset
Saquon Barkley has never needed much time to remind people how quickly a season can change, and one of the earliest lessons in that mindset came long before his NFL stardom. Looking back on his Penn State debut in 2015, Barkley described a first game that did not go smoothly, with limited playing time and a benching after a mistake in pass protection. For a player who has long carried himself like a workhorse, it was an early reminder that every snap matters.
Barkley said a conversation with his father helped reset him heading into the next week, and the response came immediately. He bounced back with a strong showing against Buffalo, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown, turning an early setback into the kind of correction that has followed him throughout his career. For Eagles fans, it is another glimpse at the steadying influence that has helped make Barkley such a reliable presence when the margins get tight. [Read more 🡒]
A.J. Browns Patriots Start Just Took Another Brutal Turn
A.J. Browns latest chapter in New England has taken an abrupt detour, with the former Eagles receiver now headed to injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Patriots Week 1 game against the Seahawks. It is another tough break for a player who was expected to be a major part of the offense after the trade from Philadelphia in June 2023, and it leaves the Patriots waiting at least four games for his return.
For Eagles fans still tracking one of the most notable moves of that summer, the timing adds another layer to a story that has already been full of turnover and frustration. Browns absence will force New England to adjust early, while also extending the sense that his start there has never really found the rhythm the Patriots hoped for. [Read more 🡒]