The Eagles head to Nashville at 1-0 for a Week 2 meeting with the Titans, and while Tennessee comes in after looking pretty listless against the Jets, the home team will be trying hard to avoid 0-2.
For Philadelphia, the rookie spotlight is pretty narrow in this one. There isn’t a long list of first-year players expected to drive the conversation, but Makai Lemon is the name drawing the most questions.
So far, Lemon’s NFL start has been rough on the stat sheet. Across two games of action, including the final preseason game, he has six catches for -2 yards. The usage has been strange, and the most likely explanation is that the Eagles are easing him back in while he works his way off injury.
The Eagles do not need a huge explosion from him, but they do need more than what they’ve gotten so far. He saw plenty of snaps in the Washington game, and at some point he has to do more than run around as a cardio king out there. If he’s healthier and more comfortable, the Eagles would love to use him in a more normal role rather than leaning on screens and sweeps.
There’s also the offensive line picture, which puts Micah Morris on deck in a roundabout way.
Landon Dickerson is on IR and will miss at least the next four weeks, and the signs point to Drew Kendall handling the left guard spot for now. That situation leaves day three rookie Micah Morris as a possible next man up down the line.
Willie Lampkin is in the mix too, and he’s become something of a fan favorite. He absolutely can play guard and flashed the ability to do it at a high level during the preseason. But if the Eagles turn to Lampkin, Morris has to be ready.
Philadelphia’s offensive line has taken plenty of wear and tear over the last few years, and it feels like that strain is starting to show. The young linemen need to be prepared, and that includes Micah Morris.
In Other News...
Eagles Pass Rush Suddenly Has No Excuses After Fangios Callout
Vic Fangio didnt mince words after the Eagles opened the season with a win over Washington, saying the pass rush was too inconsistent and never finished the job with a sack. For a defense built to tilt games at the line of scrimmage, it was the kind of performance that leaves room for concern even in a victory, especially with key edge help still out because of injury and the early schedule already asking more of the front.
Now the focus shifts to Tennessee and rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who took plenty of hits in Week 1, giving Philadelphia a clear chance to be more disruptive. Jalyx Hunt and A.J. Epenesa both acknowledged the group has to be better, and Fangios critique has put the pressure on this rotation to turn a promising opener into something sharper in Week 2. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Safety Concern Just Got Harder To Ignore For Sunday
The Eagles secondary is looking a little thinner heading into Sundays matchup with the Titans, and the latest roster move only adds to the uncertainty. Philadelphia elevated rookie safety Maximus Pulley, a sign the team is preparing as if it may need another body on the back end with Drew Mukuba questionable because of a knee injury.
Mukubas status is the piece to watch, especially with the Eagles already navigating a practice week that included limited work for Jalen Carter and Cooper DeJean, both of whom are expected to play. Philadelphia still has one open roster spot, so the team has some flexibility, but the decision to bring up Pulley suggests the safety situation is now something the Eagles cannot afford to brush aside. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Need Makai Lemon To Shake Off A Brutal First Impression
Makai Lemons first game in an Eagles uniform was not the kind of opening act anyone in the building wanted to remember. The first-round pick came away from the season opener with just three catches for minus-5 yards, a line that reflected a rocky NFL debut and a handful of plays that actually moved the offense backward. Even so, the early disappointment has not turned into panic, with Lemon still carrying himself with confidence and drawing support from teammates and the coaching staff as he tries to settle into the league.
There is also some context around why the Eagles are being patient. Lemon has dealt with an injury history, and the idea in the building is that his start does not have to define what comes next. Hollywood Brown offered a familiar reminder for a young receiver going through an uneven beginning, urging him to stay positive and keep his focus on the process. For the Eagles, the hope is that Lemon can use that advice and his talent to shake off a brutal first impression before it becomes a bigger storyline. [Read more 🡒]