Vic Fangio raised some doubts earlier this week when asked about defensive back Cooper DeJean and his preparation for Friday night’s season opener.
“I think he’s as prepared as he can be, but still not where he should be,” Fangio said.
This led to speculation that DeJean might be one of the players not playing on game day. However, that was not the case. The rookie from Iowa is active for the game against the Green Bay Packers at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“It’s just about fitting in wherever I am,” DeJean said earlier this week. “I practice multiple positions, no matter where they need me to play. I want to be prepared and do my best.”
Fellow rookie Quinyon Mitchell is expected to play a major role in his rookie debut. DeJean hasn’t had the luxury of fully preparing after missing three weeks of training camp with a hamstring injury. Mental reps only help up to a point.
“When you play against talented receivers every week, you never know where they’re going to go,” he said of the difference between actually being on the field and just watching. “They know where they’re going to go. So you have to try to spot trends. But then there are those trend breakers. So you really have to be on your guard. You never know when the ball is going to come your way.”
Eagles rookies Jalyx Hunt and Trevor Keegan, Darian Kinnard, Isaiah Rodgers, Devin White and Byron Young are ineligible to play this game. Tanner McKee is ineligible to play but will be listed as the third quarterback in case Jalen Hurts and backup Kenny Pickett are injured during the game.
Hunt was considered a promising prospect when he was drafted in the third round, but the defensive end showed enough potential over the summer and in preseason games that a role in the team’s first game would not have been too surprising.
Keegan and Kinnard both play on the offensive line and were benched in favor of Nick Gates, who was promoted in practice, presumably to serve as an emergency backup to center Cam Jurgens. Gates could also be used at guard should he be needed there in an emergency.
Cornerback Rodgers (hand) and linebacker White (ankle) were unable to play due to injuries.
As for Young, the defensive tackle arrived a few days before the opening game after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders.
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