Unexpected Cooper DeJean injury may afford several forgotten Eagles opportunity

And, we're off! The Philadelphia Eagles, both veterans and rookies, reported to camp on July 23rd. After a brief roll call we learned everyone was present and accounted for, which is exactly what we want. From what we're hearing, that isn't something every NFL team can say... ahem... the New York Jets... ahem... Haason Reddick.

There was some slightly surprising news that came from the NovaCare Complex though. Cooper DeJean is nursing a hamstring. Wow! Practice didn't start until the 24th, right?

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was the first to report the second-round draftee will miss three weeks of work, which is the bulk of training camp's duration. The news was confirmed by a source familiar with the injury.

While we never like to hear of injuries, major or minor, we do, however, understand that the NFL is a business. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that Coop is a shoo-in to make the roster, but his injury does open the door for others (even if that door is only cracked.

Avonte Maddox

Depending on the day we are asked about him, we can make successful arguments for including Avonte Maddox on the initial 53-man roster after the preseason. We can also make arguments for him being released.

While his best path to making the roster might include switching from cornerback to safety, he is Philly's longest-tenured and most experienced slot corner. Don't kick him off of the depth chart quite yet.

Zech McPhearson

Zech McPhearson has gone from being last season's top choice to fill the backup slot corner role to being in danger of being left off of this season's roster. Remember when people used to say 'you can't lose your job to injury'? That doesn't seem very truthful now, does it?

Zech, a former fourth-round draft choice, is in a contract season if he makes the team, but he first has to make the team. Extra reps in practice may allow him an opportunity to win his position coaches over, but he still has a tough hill to climb.

Tyler Hall, Mario Goodrich, and Shon Stephens

If you were to take a poll or do a vibe check, you probably won't find any Eagles fans or insiders who are banking on Tyler Hall, Mario Goodrich, or Shon Stephens making the roster. You still may not, but you never know what might happen at Eagles camp. We are accustomed to yearly surprises.

All of these guys are longshots to make the roster, but all have moved up the depth chart for a few weeks. Reed Blankenship defied the odds and catapulted himself onto the Eagles roster in 2022 thanks to hard work in practice and memorable preseason play. Might one of these guys enjoy a similar character arc?

Well, Reed was a safety, but you get where we are coming from.

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