A strength for the Philadelphia Eagles has now been reduced to a weakness, with the news that Timmy Jernigan could be out 4-6 week with a broken foot. Jernigan reportedly will not require surgery according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Eagles were already with defensive tackle Malik Jackson for the season and their were fears that Jernigan could be lost for the season after suffering the left foot injury before halftime on Sunday night.
Jernigan was observed walking out of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in a walking boot, and he could be on the shelf until Halloween. With Jernigan out, here are four takeaways from the injury.
1. the Eagles will have a decision to make regarding his roster spot
With Cre’Von LeBlanc already out and Jalen Mills on PUP, do the Eagles put Jernigan on injured reserve, which would mean he’d miss at least eight weeks? There are some thoughts to just carrying him on the roster.
The Eagles now only have Fletcher Cox, Hassan Ridgeway, and the recently signed Akeem Spence as healthy bodies at the position.
2. 2018 all over again
The Eagles have the All-Pro Fletcher Cox, Hassan Ridgeway and Akeem Spence. With a thin free agent market, Cox will be called on to do more, when he entered this season hoping to do less.
3. Vinny Curry slides down?
Vinny Curry is a physical run stuffer at defensive end and could be a viable candidate to log some snaps inside next to Cox.
4. Eagles must address DL in 2020 draft
The Eagles have to get younger along the defensive line to avoid taxing Fletcher Cox as he enters the prime of his career. With the second oldest overall roster in the NFL, Howie Roseman needs to add some young studs along the front line.
