The Eagles may have turned the page to the Rams in Week 4, but there’s still plenty to watch from the team’s recent past. After Philadelphia’s ugly 20-point loss to the Bears on Monday, a few former Eagles kept making noise around the league in Week 3 - and one of them barely made a dent.
Jaelan Phillips entered the week with real momentum after stacking up two sacks in his first two games of the 2026 season. That buzz cooled fast in Carolina’s loss to the Browns.
Phillips finished with just two tackles, and that was the extent of his day. Cleveland kept him quiet, though there’s still time for him to get back on track.
Reed Blankenship, meanwhile, finally gave himself something to build on. His season had started slowly, but he broke through in the Texans’ loss to the Colts by picking off Daniel Jones. It didn’t change the outcome, but it was a much-needed step in the right direction for Blankenship.
Nakobe Dean keeps looking like the real deal in Las Vegas. The Raiders linebacker put together another strong outing in the win over the Saints, finishing with 11 tackles, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble. That gives him three straight games with a forced turnover, and it’s the kind of run that makes the Eagles’ decision to let him go look rougher by the week.
There was also a new landing spot for Mekhi Becton, who is back in the NFL and headed to Green Bay. The Packers are bringing him in to help a depleted offensive line, with Becton set to compete for a starting guard job or provide depth. For now, Green Bay is hoping his next stop goes better than his stint with the Chargers last year.
In Other News...
Eagles Passing Game Faces A Major Rams Test Without A Star Receiver
The Eagles head into their matchup with the Rams already short on one of Jalen Hurts most trusted targets, with DeVonta Smith not expected to play because of a hamstring injury. Smith has not practiced this week, and the timing is less than ideal for a passing game that has leaned on his route-running and ability to separate when the offense needs a stabilizing catch.
Philadelphia is planning to move forward with Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper at wide receiver, while Hollywood Brown remains out with an ankle injury. That leaves the Eagles trying to piece together a workable passing attack against a Rams defense that can force quarterbacks to be precise, and it puts even more pressure on the rest of the receiver room to create answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Injuries Could Finally Open The Door For Darius Cooper
The Eagles head into Week 4 dealing with a receiver situation that could force some reshuffling against the Los Angeles Rams. With DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown both banged up, Philadelphia may need to lean deeper into the roster, and that has put Darius Cooper in a more interesting spot than he has been in most weeks.
Cooper has already carved out a role on special teams, and he also came through with a game-winning touchdown earlier this season, giving the staff at least one reason to trust him if the offense needs another option. Even so, Makai Lemon is expected to start, so any larger opportunity for Cooper may hinge on how much the Eagles can ask of a receiver group that is suddenly thinner than planned. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rookie Makai Lemon Faces A Huge Chance At The Perfect Time
Makai Lemons first month in Philadelphia has been more about steady growth than splash plays, which is not unusual for a rookie receiver trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Eagles 20th overall pick in the 2026 draft has gone three games without the kind of breakout performance that turns heads, but the opportunity in front of him suddenly looks much bigger with DeVonta Smith expected to miss the upcoming matchup against the Rams.
For an offense that has been easing Lemon along, the timing could not be better. Sean Mannion has already shown confidence in the rookies development and believes he can handle a larger role, and now the Eagles may need him to do exactly that when the workload opens up. It is the kind of chance young receivers wait for, especially on a roster that has a clear need in the passing game and a game on the calendar that could push Lemon into the spotlight sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]