NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
How long before Cooper DeJean takes Avonte Maddox’s job? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Had Cooper DeJean not missed significant time in training camp with a hamstring injury, he might already be the Eagles’ nickel cornerback.
But that time is probably coming soon.
After four weeks in the 2024 season, the Eagles enter the bye week with a 2-2 record and plenty of corrections and changes to make. One of them seems pretty obvious: Veteran Avonte Maddox has struggled and it might be time to make the switch to the rookie DeJean.
“Cooper is closing in on being ready where we just, at some point, we’ll put him out there,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said on Tuesday.
“But Avonte has played fine in some areas and obviously he’s had some plays that he’d like to have back. Like all of us, including me. But yeah, [DeJean is] getting better.”
DeJean, 21, has played minimally on defense this season with just eight total defensive snaps. He began the season as the Eagles’ extra defensive back in the dime package but then the Eagles pulled him from that role in Week 2 — it went to Kelee Ringo — because they wanted DeJean to focus on the nickel spot.
So for the last few weeks, DeJean has been the Eagles’ primary backup nickel but has also worked in with the first team on occasion too.
“It’s good to be able to focus on one spot, kind of get settled in there a little bit,” DeJean said on Sept. 19 after the Eagles made the decision to play him at just one spot. “It’s been good for me. I’m feeling pretty comfortable at that position now that I’m just focusing on it. That’s been good.”
Even if DeJean were to have some struggles at the nickel position, making the move now could make the Eagles a better team in December and January. The best combination of defensive backs could ultimately include DeJean inside so waiting too long wouldn’t make sense.
The Eagles have shown some hesitation to play rookies under Nick Sirianni but…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/long-cooper-dejean-takes-avonte-182557199.html
Author : NBC Sports Philadelphia
Publish date : 2024-10-01 18:25:57
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
