Thursday, September 25
Cooper DeJean
1:15 PM: The Eagles have some challenges in the secondary with injuries ahead of Sunday’s game in Tampa, so what’s the solution?
Defensive back Cooper DeJean knows the answer.
“Next men in mentality, that’s what it is,” he said. “Every guy in this locker room prepares each week like they’re playing and that’s the mentality in our room. You never know when your number is going to get called. We need some guys to step up and they will be ready to do so.”
The Eagles also cross-train some of their players to perform at multiple positions for instances like this, or in the heat of the moment during a game. Be ready, be prepared, and go out and compete.
“A few of us do a lot of training at different positions, which helps,” he said. “As a nickel (player), I need to know multiple positions and that’s the way it is with some of us. Some guys stick to one position. Whatever it takes, really.
“We know Tampa Bay has a lot of really good receivers and even without their No. 1 guy, Mike Evans, they’ve got players. Their rookie (Emeka Egbuka) is off to a good start and they have other receivers, so it’s going to be a test. Baker Mayfield is someone who is playing well and is going to keep plays alive, spread the ball around. We have to be ready for every single snap. He can scramble around and make plays with his feet and he does well in the dropback pass game. It’s a great test for us and we’re going to be ready for that.” – Dave Spadaro
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Wednesday, September 24
Azeez Ojulari
8:02 PM: Veteran outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari has been inactive for each of the Eagles’ first three games, but that could very well change after the team placed outside linebacker Nolan Smith on Injured Reserve on Wednesday.
“Whatever the opportunity is, I’ll take it,” Ojulari said on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Ojulari admitted that as a competitor, it’s been “tough” to not play, while adding, “whatever to help the team win, I’m willing to do it.”
A former second-round pick out of Georgia, Ojulari was an instant-impact player for the Giants in 2021 with 49 tackles, 38 QB pressures, 13 QB hits, and eight sacks. He played in every game that season, starting 13 contests.
In the three years since that outstanding rookie year, Ojulari accumulated 62 QB pressures, 24 QB hits, and 14 sacks. The Eagles valued Ojulari’s talent and added him into the fold on a one-year contract in the offseason, giving Ojulari the opportunity to earn his way into the playing rotation.
Ojulari has aided in giving the offense looks on the scout team, adjusting to the different circumstances.
“You’re coming to work every day, trying to get better,” Ojulari said. “Just working, just keeping the body right. Treatment, whatever it is to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
“To be out there one day, that’s the goal.”
And it could come on Sunday against the 3-0 Buccaneers led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has engineered last-minute, game-winning drives in each of the first three games.
“We gotta have a group rush. That’s something we speak about because he’s a guy who can get out of the pocket and run,” said Ojulari of Mayfield, who has added 116 rushing yards this season. “He’s a great mobile quarterback and he’s trying to make that play. I feel like we have to rush together when you’re going against him.” – Chris McPherson
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6:14 PM: Newly acquired Eagles wide receiver Xavier Gipson started his NFL career with a bang, but he said now the game has fully slowed down for him.
Gipson made the Jets’ roster as an undrafted free agent in 2023, and he opened his rookie season with a walk-off, 65-yard punt return touchdown in overtime on “Monday Night Football.” His debut couldn’t have gone any better, but Gipson said he has developed a lot since then.
“That game, I didn’t have that many big returns,” Gipson said. “Just that one play. Yeah that’s an amazing play, but like the game now is slowed all the way down. I can see the whole field now. And I think that’s scary.
“I can see where I’m going to be or where people are going to be before they even (get) there. I can see when they’re going to cut across my face or try to come in my blind side.”
Gipson has returned 68 punts and 44 kicks during his NFL career, including a 40-yard kickoff return in Week 1 for the Jets. However, he fumbled on a return and was waived before getting claimed by the Giants. He never suited up for the Giants and was waived ahead of Week 3, and the Eagles claimed him on Monday.
The return rate on kickoffs has skyrocketed with 79.2% getting returned over the first three weeks, and Gipson thinks there are some big plays to be had.
“I think it’s cool. I think there’s a lot of explosive plays out there,” he said. “I had a couple of big plays in my first game besides my mistake. I think the game (has) slowed down tremendously.” — Matt Ryan
Monday, September 22
12:54 PM: Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Eagles with a hamstring injury, according to multiple reports.
Evans has 14 grabs for 140 yards and a touchdown this season, and in Week 4 against the Eagles last year he had eight catches for 94 yards and a score.
With Evans expected to be sidelined, Tampa Bay’s wide receiver room consists of Emeka Egbuka, Sterling Shepard, Ryan Miller, Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson. Veteran Chris Godwin, who hasn’t played this year due to an ankle injury, has a “strong chance” to play against the Eagles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Egbuka has been red hot to start his NFL career with 181 yards and three touchdowns. Shepard had his best game of the season in Week 3, going for 80 yards on four grabs. — Matt Ryan
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