The Philadelphia Eagles have been fortunate to achieve a 10-2 record this season despite facing numerous challenges and health issues. One player who faced adversity early on was safety Justin Evans, who initially suffered a neck injury and later a knee injury that ultimately placed him on the injured reserve list.
Evans’ return window was open, but it seems that he won’t be able to come back on the field for Philadelphia after all. According to the NFL transaction wire, Evans’ 21-day period to be activated off of IR has expired on Tuesday. As he is still unable to play, this means that he is now ineligible to return for the rest of the season.
The Eagles secondary has faced numerous health challenges in 2023, and this news is certainly a setback. The experienced player quickly made his mark as a starter, showcasing his skills with two passes defended and a forced fumble in the first four games of the season. Additionally, he contributed 15 total tackles, including nine solo tackles, bringing a reliable presence that is sorely missed at the moment.
Howie Roseman made sure to have a backup plan for Evans’ absence by bringing in All-Pro Kevin Byard to fill the veteran’s spot. However, even with this significant addition, the Philadelphia defense still struggles with the overall problem of not properly tackling opponents.
In Week 13, the San Francisco 49ers exposed a weakness in the team’s defense as they consistently gained significant yardage due to missed tackles. This issue has been evident throughout the season, and it is clear that relying solely on players like Byard to address this problem is not enough. Adding Evans to the lineup would not completely solve this issue, but it would certainly provide a valuable depth option for the team as they approach the end of the season.
Now, it’s up to defensive coordinator Sean Desai to determine the best way to utilize the players he has for the playoff push. While the addition of Shaquille Leonard may provide some assistance, Desai will need to rely on improved coaching rather than solely relying on the talent of the team to succeed.
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