Philadelphia Eagles to return Richard Rodgers from IR: 3 Thoughts

Is anyone else a little surprised that the Philadelphia Eagles decided to go the route of bringing back Richard Rodgers from their injured reserve?

Were you starting to think things would quiet down around the Novacare Complex after offensive coordinator Mike Groh and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz met with the media on Tuesday? Well, it didn’t. Just before dinnertime on the East Coast, the Philadelphia Eagles announced they’d be bringing tight end Richard Rodgers back from their injured reserve.

We knew Philly was able to bring back two players. We just didn’t know when that would happen or when that would be. Now, things are a little clearer, though not much.

Take a look:

Here are three thoughts.

1. Rodgers will, now, enter a 21-day practice period.

As mentioned, NFL rules state that two players on the each team’s IR (injured reserve) may return to the active roster. On November 13th, Philly named Rodgers as one of those two. He’ll, now, enter a 21-day practice period.

He won’t actually count against the active roster until that time passes, and if Philly doesn’t add him to their active roster by 4 PM on the day after his 21 days expire, he’ll remain on IR until the end of the season.

2. The roster shuffles a little more.

The news is bittersweet as one Eagle will, simply, replace another. Cornerback Ronald Darby, whom Doug Pederson announced won’t be able to return for another game in 2018 thanks to an ACL injury figures to be placed on IR towards the end of the week.

Darby will join running back Jay Ajayi, linebacker Paul Worrilow, defensive end Derek Barnett, safety Rodney McLeod and wide receivers Mike Wallace and Mack Hollins on the IR.

Philly also announced, in corresponding moves, that tight end Will Tye has been added to the team’s practice squad and that they’ve also released tight end Billy Brown from the practice squad.

3. We should all expect Wallace or Hollins to return as well.

Of the names mentioned, McLeod, Hollins and Wallace figure to be the favorites for re-addition. McLeod probably wouldn’t be available until playoff time.

Yes, Philly, despite everything that’s happened is still in the playoff hunt. They only trail the Washington Redskins by two games in the NFC East, and they have four more divisional games on their schedule.

If they figure to have any real shot, they’ll need all available hands on deck for the remainder of the season. That means the most likely for designation back to the active roster are Hollins or Wallace.

There’s just one thing about Wallace. He won’t be out of his walking boot until the end of this week, and he should start running within two weeks from that point. With that being said, could Hollins be the guy?

Honestly, all of this is conjecture at this point. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.