The Eagles are still 8-1 after a Monday night loss to the Commanders, and they’re working to improve their run defense.
With Jordan Davis set to miss two more weeks with a high ankle sprain, the team is signing veteran run-stuffer Linval Joseph to a deal.
A former Giants second-round pick, Joseph started 12 games for the Chargers in 2021, and he should immediately bolster Philadelphia’s run defense.
Here’s an instant analysis of the move.
Added run stuffer
Joseph is a giant man and should at least eat up space on 12-14 run-downs.
Linval Joseph is 34 and last played for the Chargers, who play a similar scheme to the #Eagles, in 2021. He's your classic space eating nose tackle at 6-4, 330 pounds, assuming he's maintained his playing weight.
This suggests that Jonathan Gannon won't alter his scheme much.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) November 16, 2022
Eagles now back to five defensive tackles
With Jordan Davis out, the Eagles played with only four defensive tackles against Washington, choosing not to elevate Marvin Wilson. The decision was a disaster, as Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave both played nearly 80 snaps in a regular season game.
With Tuipulotu out, Linval Joseph is the fourth defensive tackle, and Marvin Wilson will likely see time on Sunday as well.
Gannon can get back to normal
The Eagles like to employ a 5-2 and 4-2 front, but they’re most vulnerable when the opposing offense catches them in the Nickel or Dime while playing a 5-1 scheme.
With Jordan Davis in the lineup, Gannon can intensely run all three schemes, while the arrival of Joseph could allow those schemes to work without a fourth linebacker.
