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Minor NFL Transactions: 11/30/23

November 30th, 2023 at 6:16pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

  • Promoted: TE Princeton Fant

Philadelphia Eagles

Laviska Shenault Jr. missed a handful of games earlier this season thanks to a high ankle sprain, but he was able to avoid an IR stint. He wasn’t as lucky this time around, as a new ankle injury will keep him off the field for at least the next four games. Shenault has hauled in 10 receptions this season for 60 yards, and he’s added another 55 yards on 12 carries. The former Jaguars second-round pick has also returned six kickoffs.

WR DeSean Jackson To Retire

November 29th, 2023 at 10:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the great deep threats in modern NFL history, DeSean Jackson is not planning to play a 16th season. The veteran wide receiver instead intends to announce his retirement as a member of the Eagles, according to the team.

Jackson, who had joined the Raiders and Ravens as an in-season addition over the past two years, played 15 seasons for six teams. While the 2008 second-round pick will primarily be remembered for his contributions in Philadelphia, he made an impact in a few cities. Jackson started 159 games and is one of just 40 players to surpass 11,000 receiving yards for his career.

“DeSean Jackson was a dynamic playmaker who captivated Eagles fans with his game-breaking speed, unique skill set, and explosive play,” Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie said in a statement. “What made DeSean truly stand out during his accomplished 15-year career was his ability to make miraculous plays look routine.”

The Cal product spent time in Philly, Washington, Tampa, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Baltimore during his NFL run. He led the NFL in yards per reception in four seasons, most recently in 2018 with the Buccaneers, and remained a coveted player into his mid-30s. Jackson will turn 37 on Friday, choosing that notable date to retire with the team that drafted him.

While no wide receivers went off the board in the 2008 first round, the second produced quality performers. Jordy Nelson and Eddie Royal also became Round 2 picks 15 years ago. Jackson made a quick impact, becoming an immediate long-range threat for Donovan McNabb on an Eagles team that voyaged to the 2008 NFC championship game. Jackson became the fifth player to reach 900 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons; he eclipsed 1,000 in two of those slates. Over the course of his career, Jackson produced five 1,000-yard seasons; the most recent came with Washington in 2016.

Jackson scored 66 touchdowns over the course of his career; one will probably stand out as his most memorable. Used regularly as a punt returner early in his career, Jackson finished off a 24-point Eagles rally to stun the Giants in Week 15 of the 2010 season, completing a walk-off 65-yard punt return. This came a week after he accumulated a career-high 210 yards against the Cowboys, helping the Eagles to the NFC East title in Michael Vick‘s first season as the team’s starter.

Although the deep passing game was more prominent in prior eras, Jackson stood out on that front in this one. Only Devery Henderson produced a higher yards-per-catch average in a season than Jackson’s 22.5 (2010) during the 21st century. Despite Jackson’s deep-ball brilliance, he wore out his welcome in Philly in 2014. Deemed a poor fit during Chip Kelly‘s second offseason in charge, Jackson wound up in Washington on a four-year, $24MM contract. This came after the Eagles had given the 5-foot-10 weapon a five-year, $47MM extension in 2012, Andy Reid‘s final year at the helm.

Washington’s Jackson and Pierre Garcon additions ignited Kirk Cousins, who set single-season franchise records for touchdown passes and passing yards while targeting the two free agency pickups in the mid-2010s. Jackson topped 1,000 yards in 2014 and ’16, but Washington let both veterans walk in 2017 — a year before losing Cousins. While Jackson’s post-Washington years did not generate the same kind of production he offered during his initial run in the NFC East, Ryan Fitzpatrick‘s 9.6 yards per attempt in 2018 came with significant Jackson contributions. The then-Mike Evans sidekick finished that season with a 18.9 yards per reception.

The Eagles reacquired Jackson via trade in 2019, sending a fifth-round pick to the Bucs. But injuries marred Jackson’s second Philly stint. In two seasons back with the Eagles, Jackson suited up for just eight games. The team cut him once again in 2021.

After the Rams released Jackson during the 2021 season, the veteran pass catcher was linked to a few teams. He ended up helping the Raiders to a surprising playoff run, which came after the exits of Jon Gruden and Henry Ruggs. A Ravens team that lost Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay to season-ending injuries sporadically used Jackson while limping into the playoffs last season. Jackson did not play in Baltimore’s wild-card game, however. He operated as the NFL’s oldest receiver in 2022.

Jackson made three Pro Bowls and earned more than $91MM over the course of his career. While Jackson ranks 39th in both career receiving yards and yards per catch, his 17.6 yards per grab rank second among 21st-century wideouts.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/28/23

November 28th, 2023 at 7:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Houston Texans

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Signed to active roster: CB Ekow Boye-Doe

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Following the addition of Michael Carter and the return of Emari Demercado, the Cardinals didn’t have any room for Keaontay Ingram. The 2022 sixth-round pick got into 20 games across one-plus seasons in Arizona, collecting 181 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. If the running back passes through waivers, there’s a chance he lands on the Cardinals practice squad.

Charlie Heck is back on the Texans active roster after missing the first two-plus months of the season. The offensive lineman was recovering from a back injury that “involved sciatica that went down to his foot,” per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The former fourth-round pick will look to carve out a role after starting 17 of his 35 NFL appearances through his first three seasons in the NFL.

Eagles’ Interest In Shaquille Leonard Picking Up

November 28th, 2023 at 8:30am CST by Adam La Rose

NOVEMBER 28: If Leonard’s Cowboys summit does not produce a deal, he “should be visiting” with the Eagles in the next few days, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. While nothing is firmly on the books yet for Philadelphia, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic adds, it would come as no surprise if the Eagles moved quickly to try and land Leonard. Russini adds that other teams remain in contact with his camp, meaning the two NFC East rivals could still have outside competition to finalize an agreement.

NOVEMBER 27: The Cowboys are the team which has been most closely linked to linebacker Shaquille Leonard. The high-profile free agent has other suitors, though, including another NFC East power.

The Eagles were initially named as a team to watch for Leonard, along with the Cowboys. Dallas has since lined up a visit with the former All-Pro, meaning a decision on his future could be coming in the near future. Philadelphia’s interest has been somewhat tepid so far, but that could be changing soon. The Eagles now have “increasing interest” in Leonard, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.

The main reason for the change in thinking on the part of the NFC leaders is tied not to the 28-year-old’s potential but rather the injury status of Zach Cunningham, Anderson notes. The latter suffered a hamstring injury in yesterday’s overtime win, and the fact interest in a replacement has gained steam is certainly not a good sign for his short-term outlook. Cunningham has been a mainstay in the second level of Philadelphia’s second level, logging an 83% snap share and totaling 71 tackles.

Missing the former Texan and Titan for any length of time would thus deal a signficant blow to the Eagles’ defense. Leonard would represent a notable addition under any circumstances, but a starting spot potentially being available upon signing could sway his decision-making process. The three-time All-Pro’s displeasure with his workload this season played a role in the Colts’ decision to move on from him. That has left Leonard on the open market with a shortlist of interested suitors.

The Cowboys and Eagles are among them, but the Vikings and Broncos have also been reported as having Leonard on their radar. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year has no need to rush into a decision, but having a Cowboys visit on the books will likely accelerate the process by which he finds a new home. He would add at least a highly experienced depth option at the LB spot for any acquiring team, and it would come as little surprise if he elected to join Philadelphia since the reigning NFC champions are again poised for a deep postseason run.

The 10-1 Eagles sit near the bottom of the NFL in cap space with just over $2.4MM in available funds. While that could put them at a disadvantage in a potential bidding war, Philadelphia will remain a team to watch closely in the coming days with respect to Leonard as well as Cunningham’s injury status.

Eagles Activate WR Quez Watkins From IR

November 25th, 2023 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

NOVEMBER 25: It didn’t take long for the Eagles to officially activate Watkins. They are doing so today in time for tomorrow’s matchup against the Bills. With Watkins returning to the fold, Philadelphia now has their full assortments of receivers for a difficult stretch of the schedule. Having the whole receiving corps available is a huge plus as Hurts will be without tight ends Goedert and Grant Calcaterra for at least this upcoming game.

Tight end Noah Togiai will be brought up from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation to help fill out a thin tight ends position. Joining him as a gameday elevation tomorrow will be practice squad linebacker Ben VanSumeren.

NOVEMBER 22: The NFL’s only one-loss team is moving closer to having its full wideout corps back at work. Quez Watkins returned to Eagles practice Wednesday, opening his 21-day activation window.

Placed on IR after suffering a hamstring injury, Watkins has been sidelined for longer than the IR-minimum requirement. The Philadelphia slot receiver has missed the past five games.

During Watkins’ absence, the Eagles added Julio Jones to their A.J. Brown– and DeVonta Smith-fronted wideout crew. Playing 82 snaps during his four-game run with the defending NFC champions, Jones has four receptions for 16 yards. Prior to Watkins’ injury, the fourth-year receiver was struggling to make an impact as well. Watkins will eventually come off IR with a four-catch, 21-yard stat line.

This is a contract year for Watkins, a 2020 sixth-round pick, and he will need to produce more to command a notable deal in free agency. Watkins did deliver more impressive work in the past. During Jalen Hurts‘ first season — one that became a run-leaning operation as Shane Steichen took over play-calling — Watkins posted a career-high 647 receiving yards. Once the Eagles traded for Brown during the 2022 draft, Watkins’ role took a hit. He finished last season with 354 yards — at just 10.7 per reception.

The Eagles also have Olamide Zaccheaus as a slot option; the ex-Falcon has just six receptions for 87 yards this year. With Dallas Goedert out, the Eagles could certainly use a viable third wideout. And it is worth wondering how frequently the team will use Watkins now that Jones is on the roster. The 8-1 team has six IR activations remaining this season. Goedert would not count toward this total, as the team is not planning to place its top tight end on IR.

Eagles To Waive DE Derek Barnett

November 24th, 2023 at 11:05am CST by Sam Robinson

Mentioned in trade rumors before roster-cutdown day in August and prior to last month’s trade deadline, Derek Barnett did not end up being moved. The Eagles have since changed their tune.

The Eagles are waiving the former first-round pick Friday, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets. The seventh-year defensive end, who re-signed with the Eagles in 2022, has not seen much playing time this season. But he profiles as a player expected to draw interest, per Schefter, now that he is unattached.

Barnett’s contract contains less than $500K in remaining base salary, which would not be much of an impediment toward a waiver claim. The trade deadline having passed makes all vested veterans subject to waivers. Barnett’s deal expires after this season, though passing through waivers unclaimed would lead to an early expiration.

On another deep Philadelphia defensive line, Barnett has played just 99 snaps. The former Tennessee standout has made just three tackles (one for loss) in eight games. The Eagles made Barnett a healthy scratch against the Cowboys earlier this month, and he missed the Chiefs matchup for personal reasons. But another healthy scratch may well have been in the cards for Barnett, who has been with the Eagles since going off the 2017 draft board 14th overall.

Philly allowed Barnett to gauge trade interest in August, and the defending NFC champions explored dealing him before the Oct. 31 trade deadline. Barnett, 27, remained an Eagle; he will now see if a bigger role is out there. Although the Eagles did not bring back Robert Quinn, the team still has a bevy of edge-rushing options. Brandon Graham re-signed, and Josh Sweat is signed to an extension. Philly has edge anchor Haason Reddick tied to a three-year, $45MM deal he has outplayed, and the team used a first-round pick on Nolan Smith. Patrick Johnson, a 2021 seventh-round pick, also resides on the Eagles’ 53-man roster.

Barnett signed a two-year, $14MM deal in 2022 but went down with an ACL tear in Week 1 of last season. The Eagles reduced his pay this offseason, though the redo upped Barnett’s 2023 guarantees to $3.5MM. While Barnett was not a part of the Eagles team that ventured to Super Bowl LVII, he is best remembered for his fumble recovery — following Graham’s fourth-quarter sack of Tom Brady — that helped the team prevail in Super Bowl LII. Barnett recorded five sacks during that 2017 rookie season and registered 6.5 in 2019 and 5.5 in 2020. Not becoming an upper-echelon pass rusher with the Eagles, Barnett still started 45 games for the team.

With just about every team possessing inferior D-line depth to the Eagles, Barnett should find more playing time elsewhere. Ex-Eagles DCs reside in Arizona (Jonathan Gannon) and Cleveland (Jim Schwartz). A landing with a contender makes sense, but should a team potentially view Barnett as a multiyear option — via the exclusive negotiating rights that last until mid-March — a waiver claim to preempt a free agency situation would make sense.

Cowboys, Eagles Expected To Show Interest In Shaquille Leonard

November 22nd, 2023 at 10:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Both the Eagles and Cowboys looked into linebackers before the trade deadline. While Shaquille Leonard was not mentioned in trade rumors, the former Colts standout is now available. After clearing waivers Wednesday afternoon, Leonard can seek out a free agency fit.

The two NFC East powers, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, are expected to circle back to their linebacker need. Now that a player of Leonard’s caliber is unattached, that certainly makes sense. Each is believed to have some interest here. Both teams have endured injuries at the position and obviously profile as contenders.

Dallas and Philadelphia use 4-3 looks. Leonard enjoyed one of the most prolific runs by a 4-3 linebacker in modern NFL history, dominating in Matt Eberflus‘ scheme from 2018-21 and being named to four All-Pro teams. The Colts did not view Leonard as the same caliber of player this season, keeping his snaps well down from his peak usage. Leonard is coming off a year in which he underwent two back surgeries, the second of which requiring rehab into this offseason. But he rehabbed in time to be ready for Week 1 and has played nine games this year.

Leonard, 28, is not expected to sign immediately, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating this process might take a few days. This is how the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes played out in 2021, and given Leonard’s medical issues, it would not surprise to see this market dragging for a bit. But the former second-round pick should be on track to land elsewhere and contribute this season.

Although the Cowboys drafted Micah Parsons as a linebacker, the 2021 first-rounder quickly graduated to pass-rushing duty. The Cowboys have refused to label Parsons as a pure defensive end, but he sees much of his reps at that marquee spot. At linebacker, Dallas has lost both Leighton Vander Esch and third-round rookie DeMarvion Overshown for the season. Overshown suffered an ACL tear during training camp, while Vander Esch’s neck trouble has resurfaced to the point his career may be in jeopardy. The Cowboys re-signed Vander Esch to a two-year, $8MM deal this offseason. The Cowboys have used second-year players Damone Clark and Markquese Bell, a converted safety, as their primary linebackers as of late.

Jerry Jones made it known his team was not planning to be aggressive at the deadline, displaying confidence in the team already in place. But the Cowboys did go after some linebacking help. With the Vander Esch update coming after the trade deadline, it makes sense Dallas poked around. The Eagles joined their rivals in eyeing second-level help, and they have seen their LB centerpiece — Nakobe Dean — land on IR twice this season.

Philly let starters T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White walk this offseason, devoting funds to other areas. A 2022 third-rounder, Dean became the defending NFC champs’ centerpiece player here heading into the season. The Eagles added Nicholas Morrow on a veteran-minimum deal to supplement Dean, but the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year was viewed as the anchor. Two foot injuries have stalled Dean, however, making Morrow and late-summer addition Zach Cunningham as the team’s lead LBs. Nick Sirianni was in place as Colts OC during Leonard’s first three seasons.

After voicing frustration at the Colts keeping his snaps at the 70% level, the four-time All-Pro should have his chance to craft a bounce-back arc. Pro Football Focus ranks Leonard’s 2023 work outside the top 60 among linebackers, though he did not prove a fit in Gus Bradley‘s defense. In his previous healthy season, Leonard combined to force 12 turnovers — eight forced fumbles, four INTs — despite dealing with a back problem that required surgery. Because no team claimed Leonard, the Colts are now on the hook for the remaining $6.11MM of his 2023 base salary.

Poll: Who Will Win NFL MVP Award?

November 21st, 2023 at 11:18am CST by Sam Robinson

Through 11 weeks, this NFL season has not produced an MVP favorite. Oddsmakers have slotted a number of usual suspects as frontrunners, but the stretch run will be important to generating a lead candidate.

No non-quarterback has won this award since Adrian Peterson‘s 2,097-yard rushing season edged Peyton Manning‘s Broncos debut in 2012, though J.J. Watt did finish second in voting in 2014. A quarterback will be expected to claim the honors this season, but that player has not declared himself just yet.

Two of the favorites faced off Monday night, with Jalen Hurts‘ Eagles besting the Chiefs in a Super Bowl LVII rematch. The Chiefs stifled Hurts for much of Philadelphia’s 21-17 win, but the dual-threat passer came through late. He is also the quarterback on the NFL’s only one-loss team. Hurts would have represented a strong MVP challenger to Patrick Mahomes last year, but a late-season shoulder injury led to the Chiefs superstar pulling away. QBR ranks the Super Bowl LVII QBs fifth and sixth, respectively, with Mahomes slipping to No. 5 after Kansas City’s loss.

After Hurts’ breakthrough 2022, the Eagles gave the fourth-year QB a then-record five-year, $255MM extension — one that set the market for Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow. Hurts has accounted for 24 touchdowns — nine on the ground, as he makes a case as the most unstoppable short-yardage QB rusher in NFL history — and has upped his completion percentage (68.5) from 2022.

Mahomes responded to the Tyreek Hill trade by notching the first MVP-Super Bowl MVP since Kurt Warner in 1999, and the Chiefs updated his contract to fall in line with the market Hurts helped set. Kansas City, however, has seen its oft-questioned wide receiver setup play a big role in both its home losses this year. Mahomes ranks 20th in yards per attempt, at 6.9; he cleared eight in each of his two MVP campaigns. With Travis Kelce in his age-34 season, will the seventh-year QB be able to overcome a suspect receiver setup?

Brock Purdy is leading the NFL (by a wide margin, at 9.7) in yards per attempt. After a midseason slump, Purdy has put together two strong games. He accomplished the 49ers’ first perfect passer rating in a game since 1989. Last year’s Mr. Irrelevant has been a revelation for the 49ers, who have his seventh-round contract on the books through 2025. Purdy also leads the league in QBR, providing an efficient season while blessed with an elite skill-position corps. Although this skill group could end up working against Purdy, he would become the most unlikely MVP since Warner.

No. 2 in QBR, Dak Prescott has put together a strong stretch since the Cowboys endured a blowout loss in San Francisco. After four straight one-touchdown showings, the eighth-year Cowboys starter has 13 TD tosses over his past four games. At this pace, the 30-year-old passer will be in position for another monster contract. With the franchise tag off the table and a $59MM cap hit awaiting in his 2024 contract year, Prescott is in one of the most player-friendly extension positions in league history.

Jackson sits ninth in QBR but has the Ravens perched as the AFC’s top seed for the time being. Given a $52MM-per-year deal that differed from his peers’ 2023 re-ups — in that it contains no extra years of control due to it coming after a Ravens franchise tag — Jackson is still operating a run-oriented offense. His 12 touchdown passes rank 16th, though his yards per attempt (8.1) and completion rate (69.5) figures are in the top six. Among this year’s contenders, Jackson joins Mahomes as the only former MVPs.

No rookie has claimed this award since Jim Brown in 1957, but this particular season does keep the door slightly ajar for C.J. Stroud. Almost no one expected the Texans to be in the playoff race, and the team sweeping the Jaguars would move an AFC South title closer to reality. Stroud has run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, doing so despite numerous O-line injuries. The No. 2 overall pick’s 2,962 passing yards sit second, but QBR places the Ohio State product 12th. Stroud’s three-INT game against the Cardinals hurt his cause, but the Houston rookie still has some time to make a historic push.

While Jared Goff (seventh in QBR) was once the throw-in in a trade that keyed a Matthew Stafford-led Rams Super Bowl charge, the Lions are 8-2 for the first time in 61 years. Detroit is 1-2 against teams with winning records, but a favorable schedule down the stretch stands to allow Goff — in Year 2 with OC Ben Johnson running the show — to make a case. The Lions ending up with home-field advantage in the NFC would obviously strengthen the former No. 1 overall pick’s cause. Regardless, the 29-year-old QB has moved into position for a lucrative Lions extension.

How the AFC East plays out stands to produce a contender. Although Josh Allen‘s turnover issues helped lead the Bills to fire OC Ken Dorsey, the sixth-year superstar leads the NFL with 22 TD passes (while pacing the league with 12 picks) while adding seven more scores on the ground. Tua Tagovailoa ranks just 10th in QBR — six spots behind Allen — and the Dolphins have fallen short in matchups against the Bills, Chiefs and Eagles. That said, the Bills have five losses to the Dolphins’ three. Miami first-place scoring ranking will obviously benefit its ascending passer, though Tua could conceivably split votes with Hill.

No wide receiver has ever won MVP acclaim, and Hill’s off-field history will not help his case. But his impact on the Dolphins has been undeniable. The former Chiefs speed merchant has changed Tagovailoa’s career trajectory, and the eighth-year wideout leads the NFL with 1,222 receiving yards — in front by 209 — despite the Dolphins already resting during a bye week. While Jerry Rice and Calvin Johnson could not parlay their receiving yardage records into MVP honors — respectively losing out to Brett Favre (1995) and Peterson (2012) — this QB pace persisting would stand to keep Hill going. Christian McCaffrey also makes sense as a candidate. His midseason 2022 arrival catalyzed the 49ers, and despite missing a game, the ex-Panthers extension recipient leads the NFL with 825 rushing yards. No other RB has posted more than 700, and this would obviously be an interesting year to see a running back emerge as a true MVP candidate.

Could this be the year a defender sneaks through? Only Alan Page and Lawrence Taylor have done so, but with no QB residing as a clear frontrunner, is a door ajar for Myles Garrett or T.J. Watt powering offensively limited teams? Is there an off-grid player who shapes up as a late-season threat? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts on the race in the comments section.

Who will win the NFL MVP award?
Jalen Hurts 20.88% (352 votes)
Christian McCaffrey 11.98% (202 votes)
C.J. Stroud 11.86% (200 votes)
Brock Purdy 11.21% (189 votes)
Lamar Jackson 10.97% (185 votes)
Tyreek Hill 9.61% (162 votes)
Patrick Mahomes 6.64% (112 votes)
Tua Tagovailoa 5.10% (86 votes)
Someone else (specify in comments) 4.51% (76 votes)
Dak Prescott 4.27% (72 votes)
Josh Allen 2.97% (50 votes)
Total Votes: 1,686

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/20/23

November 20th, 2023 at 6:58pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Commanders

  • Signed off Bears practice squad: DE Jalen Harris
  • Placed on IR: DL Efe Obada
  • Waived from IR: CB Troy Apke

The Packers will soon be getting some reinforcement on defense, as the team designated safety Darnell Savage Jr. for return from injured reserve today. The defensive back has missed the last four games while recovering from a calf injury. The former first-round pick started all six of his appearances to begin the season, collecting 34 tackles. The fifth-year starter will provide the Packers with a welcome boost when he inevitably returns to the field.

It seems like Green Bay is already preparing for Savage’s return, as the team moved on from another defensive back. Dallin Leavitt spent the past year-plus with the Packers, with the veteran joining the organization following a four-year stint with the Raiders to begin his career. Leavitt got into all 17 games for the Packers in 2022, with all of his snaps coming on special teams. The veteran has seen a handful of defensive snaps in 2023, collecting two tackles in 10 games.

Eagles Activate G Cam Jurgens

November 18th, 2023 at 6:46pm CST by Adam La Rose

Philadelphia’s offensive line will receive a signficant boost in advance of the team’s upcoming Super Bowl rematch. The Eagles announced on Saturday that right guard Cam Jurgens has been activated from injured reserve.

Jurgens had his 21-day practice window opened more than two weeks ago, but he could have missed Week 11’s Monday night contest against the Chiefs without yet being at risk of reverting to season-ending IR. Instead, he will be available in time for the highly-anticipated game and in turn end a lengthy absence. Bringing Jurgens back will use up one of the Eagles’ seven remaining IR activations.

The 24-year-old has been out since the beginning of October due to a foot injury, an ailment which interrupted his first season as a starter. Jurgens was in place at the RG spot from the start of the season, and he had a four-game run as a first-teamer before the injury. The 2022 second-rounder was not charged with a sack allowed in pass protection by PFF over that span, helping him earn an overall grade of 65.2. That figure ranks 26th out of 80 qualifying guards, and sits much higher than that of his replacement, Sua Opeta.

It also represents an improvement from the mark he posted as a rookie in limited action. Jurgens logged only 35 snaps as a rookie playing behind Isaac Seumalo. With the latter having departed in free agency, a starting spot opened up for Jurgens. The Nebraska product has taken it while developing as the Eagles’ projected Jason Kelce successor at center.

As expected, Philadelphia’s O-line has remained a strength this season, helping lead the team to an 8-1 record. The Eagles have posted top-1o rankings in a number of offensive categories, including strong performances both on the ground and in the air. Jurgens’ return will help in both regards as the NFC leaders look to maintain their place atop the conference and prepare for another postseason run.

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