Philadelphia Eagles: Will they struggle in Week 1?

The Philadelphia Eagles are doing everything to get their injured stars on the field for Week 1 of the regular season against the Atlanta Falcons.

It can be challenging to keep up with the injuries that have transpired with the Philadelphia Eagles. Getting ready for Week 1 of the regular season was always the plan to prepare players that are recovering from injuries, and that continues to be the case.

The key player status in focus, of course, is quarterback Carson Wentz. As comfortable as one may feel with Nick Foles for a handful of games as a spot-starter, the top backup in football is not the sheriff in town and there is no quarterback controversy. Foles has probably earned the opportunity to compete for a starting job elsewhere after this season, just not in Philadelphia in 2018.

In truth, it’s not a big deal whether or not Wentz starts Week 1. The franchise has given fans the peace of mind to trust their handling of his comeback. From the outside looking in, it looks like everything has gone according to plan and they’ll play him when he’s ready to roll. While he shouldn’t play in the preseason, that doesn’t mean that he’ll find the rhythm he needs from participating in 11-on-11.

Last offseason, there was concern about the new addition at wide receiver, Alshon Jeffery. He should have settle concerns after suiting up for Week 1 last year, but then news came out that he was productive while playing through a torn rotator cuff. Contract year or not, which 2017 was before Jeffery signed an extension, he earned some cred on the team and around the league.

When he returns to contact this season, cornerbacks will get physical with him at the line of scrimmage, in addition to the natural physical demands at the position. He’s shown toughness, but recovering from surgery and absorbing constant contact for the first time in a while will take some reps to get used to again. It may affect his ability to play at a high level early on.

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To a lesser degree, or so that’s the thinking, Nelson Agholor and Mack Hollins have missed practice time and preseason games. Recently, word came out that Hollins actually had sports hernia surgery. This isn’t a major concern if Agholor laces them up with Mike Wallace against Atlanta. Even if Jeffery is out, the offense will shuffle faces around, including kicking out Zach Ertz to play snaps at receiver. I do believe that Wentz, Jeffery and Agholor will be ready to go.

Then we turn to the future Hall-of-Famer in left tackle Jason Peters. He has recovered from an Achilles injury to reclaim his position at age 36. Peters isn’t someone to bet against, but at what point will his time be up? This is a team leader full of intelligence and experience, but the body is a different story and he’ll be challenged by a quick Atlanta defense on Sept. 6.

Darren Sproles had to bounce back from a broken arm and a torn ACL, a tall task for any player, especially for a speed back like he is at 35 years old. He is another player that has held off Father Time. He will get several touches per game, but he won’t have to carry the entire running back load as part of a three-headed backfield.

He does come back to the punt returner role, and with the rule changes for kickoffs, it looks like that will be another way the team will put the ball in his hands. Making the special teams look special again will be the most important aspect for Sproles to contribute to. His impact could be the electrifying boost the team needs to win the first game of their title defense.

I am less inclined to feel the same way about the defense. Last postseason against the Falcons, they didn’t have defensive linemen Michael Bennett, Haloti Ngata or Timmy Jernigan (injury). Ngata only played five games for the Detroit Lions due to a bicep injury. That is something the veteran will recover from. After all, he’ll be rotating in and out of the lineup for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, where he’ll be as fresh as possible to contribute if he’s still got gas left in the tank.

Also note that the Eagles did they have linebacker Jordan Hicks, cornerback Sidney Jones didn’t play, and yet they still held Atlanta to 10 points in 60 minutes. And, if they had lost that game at the end with Julio Jones scoring the game-winning touchdown, you have to be satisfied when a defense limits an elite offense to 17 points.

When discussing Week 1 strategy in the secondary, I would expect Malcolm Jenkins and Jones to get snaps inside at nickel. Some of the other young guys may rotate in the secondary for some snaps, such as Avonte Maddox, but the position may be something that they figure out as the season unfolds.

I would expect Week 1 to somewhat mirror last season where Jenkins moves to the slot and Corey Graham subs in at safety. This position will continue to play more snaps than whoever wins the third linebacker position. For the record, I think Nate Gerry will get the first crack on the weakside when called upon.

The Eagles are a team with a lot of depth, especially defensively. In most circumstances, the offensive side of the ball starts the season off stronger than the defense. I don’t question the Eagles’ plan with players coming back from injury, or the talent that will return to the field. Any concerns in regards to contact, repetition and rhythm are fair.

Certainly though, the Eagles will need to make sure everything is in order to the best of their abilities as they look to topple the Falcons. Atlanta will be fast and hungry as they seek revenge against the team that ended their playoff hopes last week.