Why Eagles Will Be Just Fine If Jonathan Greenard Isn't Back By Week 1

The likelihood Jonathan Greenard will make his Philadelphia Eagles debut come September 13 is slim to none.

Greenard hasn't practiced at all in training camp due a pectoral injury he suffered this summer, and was placed on the PUP list prior to the start of camp. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn't give a positive update towards Greenard's progression.

"We're not gonna see him for another couple weeks at least," Fangio said.

A couple weeks is very vague. Greenard will still have to get into football shape, but it doesn't appear he'll be back for the first two weeks of the preseason at minimum.

The Eagles don't have to rush Greenard back, as they have 33 days until the season opener. The decision on Greenard will have to come sooner, as he'll have to be off the PUP list by cutdown day on August 30 -- which is 19 days away.

If Greenard remains on PUP, he'll have to miss the first four games and won't count towards the 53-man roster. The situation doesn't appear to be that dire, but there's a chance Greenard won't be ready for Week 1 (even if the Eagles take him off the PUP).

If he isn't ready, the Eagles will be fine without Greenard for a few games.

The emergence of Jalyx Hunt

Hunt is a significantly better player now than he was at this time last year. This is the same Jalyx Hunt that led the Eagles in sacks and interceptions last season, the first player in franchise history to accomplish that feat.

In this training camp, Hunt has been explosive. Hunt has been using his inside move to get to the quarterback consistently, taking advantage of playing the strong side (right side) in Greenard's absence. He has the makings of a pass rusher set for his first double-digit sack season.

The Eagles will certainly survive for a few games without Greenard with Hunt as the No. 1 pass rusher.

Better depth this year

The Eagles just didn't have the depth at pass rusher last year, which forced them to sign Za'Darius Smith after the first game of the season. Smith even retired midseason, deciding his heart wasn't into football anymore.

Who were the pass rushers to open last season? Hunt, Nolan Smith, Josh Uche, and Patrick Johnson. Azeez Ojulari -- who was signed during the offseason -- was a healthy scratch that night.

The Eagles invested more money into the position this offseason, signing Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa (who they were fortunate to sign in June). Epenesa has been getting to the quarterback with the second team and Ebiketie has flashed in certain practices.

The top four of Hunt, Smith, Ebiketie, and Epenesa can get the job done for a few games. Ina 17-game season, the Eagles will need Greenard to get to a Super Bowl -- but the depth at pass rusher this year buys more time.

Is Brandon Graham coming back?

Assuming Greenard isn't ready by Week 1, does this open up the door for Graham to return?

The Eagles have been quiet with their conversations with Graham, preferring to keep them in house. Graham wants to return at some point in training camp to get in football shape, and that deadline is coming -- since he'll need about two weeks to actually get into football shape.

Graham would be the ideal No. 5 pass rusher if Greenard isn't ready, but it's also notable the Eagles brought in Tarron Jackson this week. Jackson is a long shot to make the roster and missed all of last season with an injury, but the Eagles are familiar with him.

If Greenard won't be ready, perhaps that's when Graham gets the call. That decision by the Eagles is coming soon.

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