5 surprise standouts Philadelphia Eagles need to develop for 2020

5 of 6

PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Linebacker Nathan Gerry #47 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his interception with teammate cornerback De’Vante Bausby #41 against the Washington Redskins during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 3, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 28-13. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

player. 54. . . . Nathan Gerry, linebacker. 47

Eagles linebacker Nathan Gerry was criticized more than a few times this season for missing tackles, and fairly so, but he also deserves credit for the amount of production he contributed to an Eagles defense who, at times, had little to celebrate.

Predicting the future for Gerry is particularly hazy right now as it was reported by NBC Sports Philly’s John Clark last week that the linebacker has had core muscle surgery following the end of the Eagles’ season. His injury was similar to the one that sidelined Desean Jackson for much of 2019’s season. Clark cited sources claiming that Gerry had suffered the torn muscle in camp and that he had played with the injury through the entire 2019-2020 campaign.

That didn’t stop him from having himself a productive season, playing all 16 regular-season games and finishing with 72 tackles. 47 of those were solo and six resulted in a loss. Add that to 2.5 sacks. Gerry also brought the Eagles’ defense one of its only larger celebratory moments against the New York Jets in October when he returned an interception 51 yards to paydirt. That was Philly’s only pick-six of the season.

If Gerry can get healthy and become a consistent tackler, he’s poised to be a critical defensive force for the Birds.

Home/Eagles News