Just as you thought it couldn’t get any harder for the Philadelphia Eagles, disaster strikes. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, second-year defensive end, Derek Barnett, is now out for the season due to a shoulder injury.
Eagles’ DE Derek Barnett is undergoing shoulder surgery and is now out for the season, per source. The former first-round pick recorded 2.5 sacks and 17 tackles this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2018
This is a huge loss for the Eagles. Barnett has played in over 50% of the Eagles defensive snaps so far and come up with some huge plays, including the sack that ended the Colts’ chances of adding another loss to the Eagles record. An instrumental piece in the Eagles defensive line, where the team go from here, already lacking interior depth, will be very interesting.
In the 2017-2018 season, Barnett played 41% of the Eagles defensive snaps (424 total), mainly due to the depth the Eagles had on their front seven. The former Vol was able to put up “21 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and one touchdown” . In addition, Barnett was able to make a significant impact as a pass rusher on second and third down situations, sacking the quarterback 5 times. Barnett produced at an exceptionally high level on a limited number of snaps.
Without him, it’s likely that the team will turn to this year’s rookie pass-rusher, Josh Sweat, who was drafted in the fourth round but has only seen 11 snaps so far. Will the Eagles seek to bolster the trenches instead of trading for a skill-position talent? Either way, Howie Roseman is really up against it here.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
