The Eagles have another defensive injury to monitor heading into Week 2, but this one doesn’t feel like the kind that sends Philadelphia into panic mode.
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter missed Wednesday’s practice after hurting his wrist in the Eagles’ 24-22 Week 1 win over the Washington Commanders. Cornerback Cooper DeJean was also sidelined, working through a calf/abdomen injury he picked up in that same game. So the Eagles are dealing with more than one issue on defense as they prepare for the Tennessee Titans.
Still, Carter’s absence from practice isn’t the kind of development that changes the Eagles’ outlook by itself. The reason is simple: Philadelphia has real depth on the defensive line, and that’s been a defining feature of this group.
Last season already proved that point. Carter dealt with shoulder and heel injuries during the year and ended up missing six games, yet the front held up just fine. The Eagles have built a line that can absorb a hit and keep rolling.
Jordan Davis is a big part of that confidence. He was excellent against the Commanders, finishing with eight tackles and four stops. Pro Football Focus gave him a 77.1 grade, which ranked 14th among interior defensive linemen.
The support behind Davis is solid, too. Moro Ojomo posted three tackles against Washington and helped the pass rush. Byron Young was a useful depth piece last year, especially during the stretches when Carter was out, and he finished the season with 37 tackles, four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 17 games.
Then there’s Ty Robinson, who turned heads in training camp and the preseason. The fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft racked up three sacks in two preseason games, giving Eagles fans a reason to think he could grow into the next strong defensive tackle in the rotation.
That said, Carter’s value is obvious. He had four pressures and a blocked extra point in the Week 1 win over the Commanders, the kind of impact that can tilt a game in a hurry.
But even if he sits, the Eagles still have one of the league’s best defensive lines, and the Titans are walking into a bad matchup either way. Tennessee’s offensive line struggled badly in last year’s loss to the New York Jets, giving up three sacks, 26 pressures, 21 hurries, and two quarterback hits. The run game wasn’t much better, either, as the Titans managed only 68 yards on 14 carries.
So yes, Carter matters. Philadelphia would rather have him on the field.
But this is one of the few teams built to survive that kind of loss. And if Carter does suit up against Tennessee, that only makes the day harder for the Titans.
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Eagles Suddenly Have A Big Chance To Solve A Costly Problem
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For a team that has poured major money into its defense, finding dependable offensive line production from younger, cheaper players is more than a convenience, it is a necessity. If Kendall holds up, the Eagles could be looking at a long-term answer in a spot where proven depth is usually expensive, and this stretch now becomes a significant evaluation period for a player the organization already views as someone who could start down the line. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Suddenly Have A Cooper DeJean Concern After Rough Debut
Cooper DeJeans first NFL game already came with plenty to unpack, and now it has created a health question for the Eagles as well. The rookie defensive back missed Wednesdays practice because of an undisclosed injury he picked up in Week 1 against the Washington Commanders, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed DeJean was dinged during the game.
For Philadelphia, the timing is less than ideal. DeJean had a rough debut, giving up several big plays and drawing penalties, and his availability for Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans is now uncertain. The Eagles were already sorting through the ups and downs of a young player getting thrown into the fire, and now they have to monitor whether he can get back on the field in time to help clean it up. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Already Have A Backfield Question Behind Saquon Barkley
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Kenneth Shipley wound up drawing more attention than Bigsby, even though he was initially viewed as a candidate to get cut. His heavier usage and visible impact suggest the Eagles may have more to sort through at the position than just Barkleys workload management. For a team that wants stability behind its featured back, the early answer is not nearly as settled as the depth chart made it seem. [Read more 🡒]