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Ranking most important non-Week 1 Eagles starters in Jaguars showdown

Who will step up?
ByAnthony Miller
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley
Philadelphia Eagles running back Will Shipley | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Philadelphia Eagles will have plenty of new starters on the field for their London showdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars starting in Week 1.

Philly will start seven players who weren't in the lineup for the season opener against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles have five players ruled out with injuries, including Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith. They also saw Lane Johnson retire, and the Eagles traded Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens.

Among the six non-Week 1 starters, which ones are most important for the Eagles to beat Jacksonville? Here is a full ranking.

Ranking Eagles backups stepping up in starting lineup

6. Will Shipley, RB

It might be odd to put Shipley last on this list, since the running game is so important to the Eagles' success on the ground, but he isn't that high because other roles are more pivotal. He'll be successful in some capacity regardless, but he needs his offensive line to help.

Shipley can impact the passing game or the running game because of the versatilityhis. The Eagles really need their line to succeed, but don't underestimate how important Shipley is to this offense.

5. Michael Carter II, S

Carter had an impressive first start in 2026, replacing Marcus Epps and racking up five tackles and three pass deflections. It was great to see some real production from a safety who had struggled with tackling and coverage.

He will get the starting job at safety again with Epps out and could make some great plays. If he can repeat last week's performance, he might become a full-time starter.

4. Markel Bell, RT

Bell made his first career start last week, in Week 4, against the Rams, with Johnson a late scratch. While there were some struggles early on, Bell had some impressive moments in the game. He had one play where he pancaked two players, leading to a big play.

The Eagles hope Bell will become their future at right tackle and that he has a chance to be a great player. He's got big shoes to fill, but he has the size to do it.

3. Darius Cooper, WR

With DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown out, Cooper got a second straight start. Cooper made some noise with two touchdowns on three receptions in the Week 4 loss to the Rams.

The Eagles will ask a lot of their young second-year receiver, but he'll answer every time. Philly needs to get Cooper involved if they want the passing game to be rolling.

2. Jake Majors, C

This is now the third Hurts'starter at center, making things a bit tougher, especially with a guy who has never played a regular-season NFL game. The college star will be active for the first time and has worked with Hurts only for the last few days.

So much is unknown about Majors, so it's important that he gets off to a fast start and holds his own in pass protection. Philly's interior offensive line has struggled all season, so Majors has to eliminate that issue so the offense can get back on track.

1. Willie Lampkin, LG

The left guard position has been a sore spot between Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens. With Dickerson still on IR and Jurgens gone, Lampkin is now making his first career start.

Read more: Jalen Hurts' new calf injury might present Eagles Week 5 opportunity he needs to take

In college, Lampkin didn't allow a sack on over 950 pass-blocking snaps in his first two seasons at North Carolina. This offensive line makes or breaks the game the game based on how Lampkin handles pass protection,, after Jurgens allowed 13 pressures in three games.

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