Martin Frank previews Eagles vs Cowboys from Jerry World
Eagles beat writer Martin Frank gives his pregame thoughts before the Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, Texas − The Eagles suffered two losses on defense on back to back plays in the third quarter as cornerback Adoree Jackson left to be tested for a concussion.
On the next play, defensive tackle Moro Ojomo left with an undisclosed injury. A bit later in the third quarter, Reed Blankenship left with a thigh injury. His return is questionable.
But it was how the Eagles replaced Jackson that was noteworthy. They brought in Michael Carter at nickel and moved Cooper DeJean outside to cornerback.
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It was the first time DeJean had played regular snaps on the outside. He would play there when the Eagles were in base defense, which is about 15% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps. Then he would move inside to nickel.
The Eagles traded with the Jets for Michael Carter on Oct. 29 for that possibility. The Eagles could have kept DeJean at nickel and brought in either Kelee Ringo or Jakorian Bennett to play outside. But defensive coordinator Vic Fangio decided otherwise.
As for Ojomo, he came into the game leading the Eagles with 4.0 sacks. He returned later in the third quarter.
Blankenship was replaced by Sydney Brown.
The Eagles’ only other defensive tackle on the game-day roster was Byron Young. The Eagles made rookie Ty Robinson inactive for the game.
But Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis play the bulk of the snaps anyway. It’s not known if either Jackson or Ojomo would be able to return.
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Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the “Eye On The Eagles” newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday monring. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
