Last Thursday, the world-champion Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-20 at Lincoln Financial Field in the season-opener.
However, at times, the defense struggled against the Cowboys, and they did not record a sack.
Last Friday, the team made a move and signed veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to a one-year contract.
In 2024, the 11-year veteran recorded nine sacks in 17 games for the Lions and Browns.
As the Eagles gear up for their Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs, head coach Nick Sirianni discussed the signing of the 33-year-old Smith.
“Excited about Za’Darius(Smith) and what he can add,” Sirianni said. “From watching his tape the last five years, really, as I see him or even more than that, and then what he did last year. Looking forward to that. I think he adds to a very deep room where we have a lot of confidence in all those guys. Now again, with that being said, sometimes it’s hard to go up with six or seven guys at that position to dress for a game. We had some choices to make, and that’s the way we went this week. But, I really like the depth of that room, and Howie’s(Roseman) done a great job of putting that room together, and [Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Coach Jeremiah] Wash [Washburn] does a great job of coaching that group.”
Whenever you win a Super Bowl, you will inevitably lose players, and the Eagles are having to replace key contributors like Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Brandon Graham. Azeez Ojulari was supposed to help, but he was a healthy scratch against the Cowboys.
Smith should help the Eagles, but we won’t know what the Eagles will be on the defensive line until Jalen Carter, who was ejected against the Cowboys before taking a snap, gets on the field.
Eagles acquire running back Bigsby from Jaguars:
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles added a running back on Monday when they acquired Tank Bigsby from the Jaguars in exchange for 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks.
In the Jaguars’ win over the Panthers in Week 1, Bigsby had 12 yards on five carries.
With the 24-year-old Bigsby in the fold, the rib injury that Will Shipley suffered against the Cowboys could be serious, so the Eagles felt they needed a replacement and another backup for Saquon Barkley, and Philadelphia is hoping Bigsby can be that guy.
Last season, Bigsby rushed for 766 yards and seven touchdowns for the Jaguars.
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