How's that 8-2 adrenaline rush feel? Has it calmed yet? If it has, you're more composed than we are. The Philadelphia Eagles game on Thursday Night Football meant the conclusion of a short week, but it also jumpstarted Week 11.
As usual, the Birds didn't make it easy on themselves early. They found their rhythm though and vanquished a divisional rival in an eight-point win that wasn't as close as the final score would indicate.
So, here we sit, finishing a few stories you will read later on Monday (or, if not, maybe first thing on Tuesday). Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore are learning more about their players weekly, what they do well and what they don't.
That has helped them determine which guys need to be on the field more often and who needs to be played less. Here are guys that fall in the latter category. They appear to be tumbling down Philly's depth chart.
Also read: Don't give up on Jake Elliott yet!
Avonte Maddox. defensive back
Avonte Maddox is someone we all love and someone we have always had the same theory about. Stop us if you've heard this.
He's solid if he's healthy and on the field. But, he's never healthy. We know he'll be injured at some point.
Maddox walked into the season as Philly's best and most experienced corner. Then, we found out Cooper DeJean is just better. Avonte is playing on a one-year deal. He played 213 snaps during the Eagles' first four games this season. He's played 36 over the past six weeks.
Do the math.
Eli Ricks, cornerback
Remember this guy. At the risk of sounding disrespectful, Eli Ricks is someone we thought would be gone by now. There were times when we thought he wouldn't make the 53-man roster. But, he did. He just isn't playing.
He played 301 defensive snaps in 2023 and another 212 on special teams. That has dwindled to 20 ST snaps this season. That's partially due to him being inactive during all but three of the Eagles' 10 games this season.
He has one tackle on his stat sheet. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have entrenched themselves on this roster. Again, you do the math.
Ainias Smith, wide receiver
Remember this guy? The Eagles drafted Ainias Smith in Round 5 of this year's NFL Draft only to learn that he can't play.
He was supposed to be someone who could operate in space and be another returner. Yeah... He isn't either of those things.
One rush... Two yards... Three receptions... Six yards... That is the extent of his rookie stat sheet. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Johnny Wilson is someone the coaching staff seems to be more enamored with. Jahan Dotson is also here.
Sorry Ainias.
Worth mentioning: Kelee Ringo, cornerback
Kelee Ringo can ball. He's raw, but he can play. Few wide receivers can beat him in a foot race.
He's also a 2023 fourth-round selection. He will be around. He's just part of a depth chart loaded with talent.
Darius Slay is the veteran, but his time in Philly may be nearing its end. That could open the door some, but Kelee is also staring up the depth chart at Quinyon Mitchell and Isaiah Rodgers.
We'd like to see more of the former Dawg, but the more we watch this team play, it appears he'll have to wait for his time to come.
Worth mentioning (but not tumbling yet): Bryce Huff, EDGE
Technically, Bryce is tumbling down the depth chart because he's still listed as one of the starters. Do we have to explain this one though?
32 defensive snaps over the past three weeks... He survived the trade deadline, but will he return for another season in 2025?