Philadelphia Eagles Expect 'Energy, Passion, & Fire' From Backups Amid Injuries
The Philadelphia Eagles will have to play the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday without defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who has been ruled out due to a back issue.
It's just the fifth time in Cox's 12-year career that he'll be missing a game. This now thrusts younger defensive linemen like Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and others even further into the spotlight as the Eagles continue to rely on a strong defense to continue their unbeaten streak.
But it's not a simple 'next man up' scenario according to Philadelphia coach Nick Sirianni.
Opportunities to step in for veterans like Cox don't come around all that often - obviously - and Sirianni expects anyone who gets more reps because of it to bring plenty of "energy, passion, and fire."
"That ability to come in, like [G] Sua [Opeta] did last week, and play an outstanding game," Sirianni said when asked what he'd expect from his younger defensive tackles if Cox can't go. "They have worked hard for an opportunity to be able to have more reps if that's the case ... So that's really what I want to see, and just play with that energy and that passion and that fire that they have been playing with at practice since they have gotten here."
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (in white jersey) applies pressure to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (red jersey).
USA Today
Opeta came in to replace guard Cam Jurgens who left in the Eagles' win over the Washington Commanders in Week 4 with a foot injury.
The fifth-year lineman was able to come in and appeared on 25 pass-blocking snaps without giving up a single pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
Of course, if anyone has to step up to replace Cox, the Eagles would want pressures to be a result of it, especially as they try to turn their four-game winning streak into five while preventing Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford from repeating his 300-yard performance that helped lead his team to a overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts one week ago.
The Eagles and Rams kickoff from SoFi on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
