Philadelphia Eagles’ Head Coach makes a fascinating roster move ahead of the Christmas Clash with Giants: Linebacker and Safety Depth in Focus…

Eagles Make Roster Moves Ahead of Christmas Clash with Giants: Linebacker and Safety Depth in Focus

The Philadelphia Eagles have officially announced two roster adjustments in preparation for their Week 16 game against the New York Giants on Christmas. Brandon Smith, a 2022 fourth-round pick, has been elevated, addressing a shortage of healthy off-ball linebackers caused by the absence of Zach Cunningham and the questionable status of Nicholas Morrow. With this move, the Eagles now have at least three linebackers available, potentially four if Morrow is cleared to play.

The current linebacker lineup of Shaq Leonard, Ben VanSumeren, and Brandon Smith appears thin, with concerns about Leonard’s performance and VanSumeren’s limited experience as an undrafted rookie. Smith, who played 52 defensive snaps with the Carolina Panthers last year, adds depth to the position.

Tristin McCollum has also been elevated, providing additional special teams support and bolstering safety depth. This move is particularly significant as the Eagles face potential challenges at safety with Reed Blankenship, Kevin Byard, and Sydney Brown expected to see considerable playing time.

It’s acknowledged that the Eagles may not require an elite linebackers corps to prevail against the Giants, and they can explore strategies like deploying more defensive back-heavy packages to mitigate this positional challenge. However, the current configuration is recognized as less than ideal, emphasizing the team’s adaptability and the need for additional depth in key positions.