Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown lead Eagles past Commanders
Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown have big days in the Eagles’ 34-31 overtime win over the Washington Commanders.
LOS ANGELES − All along, the Eagles were expecting the Rams to activate star wide receiver Cooper Kupp from injured reserve.
Covering Kupp was already a major part of the Eagles’ defensive game plan days before the Rams made it official Saturday. And it led the Eagles to use a practice squad elevation on veteran Bradley Roby, whom the Eagles only signed last Wednesday.
Roby, in his 10th season, is expected to play at the nickel position, along with cornerback James Bradberry. Kupp is primarily a slot receiver, so it’s likely that either Bradberry or Roby will be on him as much as possible.
Kupp won a rare “triple crown” for wide receivers in 2021 by leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16). The Rams won the Super Bowl that season. Jerry Rice, Sterling Sharpe and Steve Smith are the only others to ever do it.
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The Eagles have been scrambling to fill the nickel spot since Avonte Maddox went on IR after Week 1 with a torn pectoral muscle. The last few games, the Eagles moved Bradberry inside on passing downs, using Josh Jobe on the outside.
While Bradberry adjusted well enough to nickel, a spot he had never played in the NFL before, Jobe has struggled on the outside.
Still, covering Kupp will be a difficult assignment for Roby, let alone any nickel.
“He’s one of the best receivers,” cornerback Darius Slay said about Kupp. “He does a lot for that offense. The offense goes through him. Very talented dude. It’s for sure going to change a little something. Ain’t just gonna be the same ol’ same ol’. We gotta stay technique sound and get after it.”
But the Rams have other offensive players, too. While the Rams turned over their entire starting defense from that season − only all-world defensive tackle Aaron Donald and linebacker Ernest Jones remain as starters − many key offensive players remain.
The Rams (2-2), behind quarterback Matthew Stafford and rookie receiver Puka Nacua, are ranked fifth in the NFL in total offense − and that’s without Kupp.
Nacua, in fact, leads the NFL in receptions with 39 and is second in receiving yards with 501. Those numbers are the most in NFL history for a player through his first four games.
Kupp could make Nacua even more dangerous, along with tight end Tyler Higbee.
Eagles place starting OL on IR; 3 players ruled out, 3 return
The Eagles gave their other practice squad elevation to punter Braden Mann. It’s Mann’s last elevation before he has to be added to the 53-man roster.
That will likely happen next week as the Eagles placed RG Cam Jurgens (foot) on injured reserve Saturday, meaning that he has to miss at least four games. That makes him eligible to return Nov. 5 against Dallas.
The Eagles also ruled out DT Fletcher Cox (back), DT Marlon Tuipulotu (triceps) and S Sydney Brown (hamstring). WR/PR Britain Covey (concussion) was taken off the injury report Saturday and is eligible to play. S Justin Evans (neck) is also eligible to play, as is WR Quez Watkins (hamstring).
In addition, RB Rashaad Penny (illness) was added to the injury report Saturday. He’s listed as doubtful.
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
2023-10-08 08:49:52
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