Philadelphia Eagles: Nathan Gerry activated from COVID-19 list, 2 reactions

Don’t look now, but Nate’s the guy for the Philadelphia Eagles at the second level of their defense.

How things change. Once upon a time, the goal was to mold Gerry into someone that can benefit this team for years to come. Now, he’s the top guy on the depth chart heading into camp at the linebacker position who will, no doubt, be splitting starting duties with the undrafted T.J. Edwards.

Expect Edwards to handle play-calling duties in Jim Schwartz’s scheme if everything goes according to plan.

In addition to T.J., joining ’47’ on this Eagles team at the second level is a bunch of young guys who are either young and unproven. Headlining the guys who will handle reserve duty are two rookie draftees, Davion Taylor and Shaun Bradley. There’s also Jatavis Brown, who comes to the team by way of the most recent free-agency ‘frenzy’, undrafted rookie Dante Olson, and Alex Singleton.

If you’re paying attention, that’s seven bodies, and Gerry, all of a sudden, is one of the elder statesmen. Over the course of his first three seasons, Gerry’s seen the highs (the Eagles won the Super Bowl in his rookie season). He’s also had to help this team fight through adversity, but the ‘Birds’ have made the playoffs in each of his first three seasons.

If they’re to find their way into the postseason for the fourth time in four seasons, Gerry, one of the old guys on the team now, has to step up. No pressure, but where his NFL career goes after this season will have a lot to do with how he and his team perform.