Eagles CB Sidney Jones faces a career-defining game in Week 6
By Brian Cass
Time may be running out for Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones.
Third-year cornerback Sidney Jones, a former standout with the Washington Huskies was a second-round selection of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. It’s safe to say that he’s failed to live up to the hype, but that could all change with a signature performance this Sunday in Minnesota when the Eagles take on the Vikings.
This is a familiar spot for Jones. He’s yet again being pressed into action coming off a hamstring injury with the odds stacked against him. On Sunday, Jones and the rest of the secondary will be tasked with slowing down two elite pass catchers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
The Eagles are coming into this matchup with the 27th-ranked pass defense in the NFL. They’ve allowed just over 271 passing yards per game. Luckily for Jim Schwartz’s group, the Vikings rely heavily on the run game, and stopping the run is the strength of Philly’s defense.
If the Eagles can contain Dalvin Cook and the Vikings’ rushing attack, the game will partially come down to Sidney Jones and injury-riddled secondary’s ability to cover Thielen and Diggs.
Rasul Douglas has shown the ability to be a competent starter throughout the year, and nickel corner Orlando Scandrick is coming off one of the best games of his career. Jones is one of the obvious weak links heading into this contest, and Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense are going to try and take advantage of him.
This will be a career-defining game for Jones. He’s been ridiculed by the fan base and is just a few bad performances away from officially being labeled as a bust. With Douglas’ emergence this season and with Jalen Mills possibly returning from injury in a few weeks, the time for Jones to prove to the coaches and the doubters that he can play in this league is now. Otherwise, he’s sure to drift to the bench once the rest of the secondary gets healthy.
Next. 5 Huge storylines to watch in Week 6. dark
Jones’ future with this organization may ride on how well he plays on Sunday. We’ll see what he’s made of this week. There’s no doubt about it.
There isn’t a stat that can be provided to make anyone feel good about Jones’ chances against the Vikings’ receiving corps, it simply comes down to having faith that he’ll finally step up and be the shutdown corner everyone projected him as when he got drafted.