Training camp phenom Ben VanSumeren could get his shot vs. Giants

Training camp phenom Ben VanSumeren could get his shot vs. Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Nick Morrow missed practice Thursday and Friday with an abdominal injury. Zach Cunningham missed both practices with a knee injury.

Both could miss the Eagles’ crucial game Monday afternoon at the Linc against the Giants.

That leaves two healthy off-ball linebackers on the roster: Shaq Leonard, the newest Eagle, who’s still learning the defense and rounding into shape, and undrafted rookie Ben VanSumeren.

Leonard has played 4,189 career snaps.

VanSumeren has played 0 career snaps.

We know all about Leonard, who played 42 snaps vs. the Cowboys and Seahawks in his first two games with the Eagles.

But what about VanSumeren?

Can he play?

“I feel very prepared,” VanSumeren said at his locker Friday. “I feel like I’m ready. Actually, I know I’m ready.”

Despite an outstanding training camp, VanSumeren was released with final cuts. At that point, the Eagles had Nakobe Dean and Cunningham starting and Christian Ellis as a depth piece. So VanSumeren spent the first three months of the season on the practice squad, although he was a game-day elevation for the first Cowboys game and the Chiefs.

The Eagles finally signed VanSumeren to the 53-man roster on Nov. 30, and he’s made an impact with 131 special teams snaps in six games.

Linebacker is a different animal. But he just may have to play his first NFL defensive snaps this weekend.

“I’ve been getting reps with the defense for a while now to prepare me for stuff like this,” he said. “That’s why I’m here, to play. The way I’ve been practicing, I know I‘m ready. I’ve felt that way for some time now.

“I’ve gradually gotten better every single day and I feel like that’s my duty to myself. You know, just to get a little bit better every time you get out there.”

VanSumeren has been trying to get noticed since he was in high school. He played at a tiny high school – Garber High in Essexville, Michigan,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/training-camp-phenom-ben-vansumeren-133157727.html

Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia

Publish date : 2023-12-23 13:38:03

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