The Eagles’ special teams group might be one of the quieter storylines heading into Week 1, but it has a chance to matter in a big way when Washington comes to Philadelphia.
Michael Clay is back for his eighth season in the city of brotherly love, and after offseason chatter that he might be heading elsewhere, he returns energized to guide the third phase again. With the home opener offering a clean slate, the focus now shifts to how a few new pieces fit into the mix.
One of the biggest names to watch is rookie Makai Lemon, who is lined up for punt return work in his regular-season debut. Lemon did muff his lone return in the final preseason game, though he was just coming back from a hamstring injury.
Before arriving in the NFL, he handled six punt returns for 71 yards in his final season at USC, averaging 11.8 yards per return. He’s also working his way into the wide receiver room and is expected to take on slot duties on offense, but Week 1 could bring his first real splash in Midnight Green through the return game.
Kickoff returns should belong to Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby, a pair of backup running backs who both made noise this summer. Shipley in particular drew attention with strong practice showings.
Last season, he had 29 kick returns for 777 yards, a 26.8-yard average, with a long of 41 yards against the Giants in Week 8. Bigsby added nine returns for 187 yards, averaging 20.8 yards, and broke off a 31-yard return in the Week 4 game against Tampa Bay.
Britain Covey is still hanging around on the practice squad, but he remains a name to keep in mind. The veteran special teams contributor posted 5 kickoff returns for 125 yards and 11 punt returns for 124 yards in 2025, and the Eagles can elevate him to the 53-man roster whenever they want. For now, he’s a phone call away.
Braden Mann and Jake Elliott are also set to resume their usual roles. Mann was excellent last season, averaging 49.9 yards per punt and 43.1 net yards per punt, production that helped him land a new four-year deal.
Elliott’s track record is packed with clutch moments and big kicks, but last season was a rough one by his standards. He hit 74.1% of his field goal attempts, his lowest mark since 2020. Even so, Clay remains confident in him, and Week 1 against Washington gives the veteran kicker a chance to start moving back in the right direction.
In Other News...
Eagles May Have Created A Bigger Problem With A.J. Brown Move
The Eagles decision to trade A.J. Brown to New England after the 2025 season was supposed to settle a tension that had been building between the star receiver and Jalen Hurts. Instead, it has put the spotlight on how Philadelphia plans to keep its offense moving without one of the leagues most dangerous pass catchers, and rival teams are already questioning whether the move solved anything at all.
Philadelphia is now set to lean on younger options such as Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks to absorb the production and attention Brown once commanded. The challenge is not just replacing his numbers, but replacing the type of threat that changes how defenses line up, and that is why the Eagles next step on offense has become so much more complicated than a simple roster move. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Week 1 Depth Chart Leaves Pressure On Two Key Roles
The Eagles have put out their full depth chart for the 2026 regular season, and it offers a clear look at where the roster is settled and where the real intrigue still sits. Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby are lined up at running back, Dallas Goedert remains the lead tight end, and Jalen Carter anchors the defensive tackle spot, but the chart also makes it plain that not every job has been neatly sorted out.
The biggest unresolved question remains at quarterback, where the backup role is still up for grabs between Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. There are also lingering decisions on how Jonathan Greenard will be used off the edge and how the cornerback group will hold up after injuries and uneven preseason showings, leaving a few important snaps to be determined even with Week 1 here. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Season Predictions Will Give Fans Plenty To Argue About
The Eagles are heading into the kind of preseason stretch that always invites a little friendly bickering, and the latest round of predictions gives fans plenty to debate. The forecasts touch just about every corner of the roster, from what Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith might produce to how much of an impact the defense can make if the right pieces click at the right time.
Jalen Carter is one of the names drawing the loudest reaction, with the projection placing him among the leagues elite if his ascent continues. Riq Woolen also comes up as a player to watch for turnovers, and the broader outlook is just as ambitious, with the team expected to stay near the top of the NFC East conversation again. [Read more 🡒]