The Eagles are having a truly rough week, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio just put a spotlight on one of the biggest issues: he openly said it is possible they are playing Jalen Carter too much, especially with him sporting a cast. Talk about a blunt assessment right before they head across the pond to face the Jaguars in London. The struggles against the Rams clearly have Fangio looking for answers, and it sounds like he is not pulling any punches about where the problems lie.
Roughing Up The Rams: The Defense Is Not Finishing
Man, that Rams game must have been a gut punch for the Eagles. Fangio was straight-up about their late-game collapse, admitting they struggled to make a play and he struggled to make the right call with a veteran like Matthew Stafford picking them apart. He nailed it: “We didn’t get it done. You know, we played great for 10 drives, but the last two, we didn’t.” The defense was out there for a grueling 83 total snaps, including penalties. Fangio said that might play a small part, but ultimately, they just have to find a way to finish strong. When asked about defensive depth with injuries piling up, he kept it cagey, saying it is being challenged and some places are good while others, “you cross your fingers.” Pressed on which positions lack depth, he just replied, “You’ll have to figure that out yourself.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the depth chart, right?
Secondary Stepping Up, Pass Rush Still Searching
Despite the late-game breakdown, Fangio did throw some props to the secondary. He thought Michael Carter played well on Sunday. And Jonathan Jones? Stepping in after Quinyon Mitchell got sidelined, Fangio was happy with how he performed. “I thought [Jonathan Jones] did good for really his first action in a long time,” he said, noting Jones missed the end of training camp and hadn’t seen action since an early preseason game. He credited Jones’s preparation. They’re hopeful Mitchell will be back this weekend, but that’s a wait and see. New DB Kenny Moore is also getting closer, learning two positions (nickel or dime, and safety), even getting a play or two in late against the Rams. The pass rush, though? That’s a different story. Fangio called it “inconsistent.” He sees them getting one-on-one chances but not converting consistently, even if chips sometimes affect them. Still, he believes in his guys and thinks the pass rush will get to where it needs to be. He mentioned they’ve lost two sacks in the last two games due to penalties, and sometimes the ball is just coming out too quick for the rush to get home.
Workload Warnings And Earning Snaps
Beyond Jalen Carter’s heavy snap count, Fangio also singled out linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., saying he played very well against the Rams and probably earned himself some more playing time. It sounds like some guys are making the most of their chances while others might be pushed a bit too hard. The fact that the defensive coordinator is even publicly acknowledging that Carter might be playing too much, especially while dealing with an injury and wearing a cast, is a massive signal that something has to change.
The Eagles are already across the pond prepping for the Jaguars, and with all these questions hanging around, you know every single snap is going to be scrutinized. Can they figure out how to finish a game strong and manage their key players? We’re about to find out this weekend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleeding Green Nation.
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