One week after the best game of his career as an Eagle, Hassan Ridgeway has been placed on injury reserve. He notched 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 4 tackles for loss in his short stint replacing also injured Eagles DTs Malik Jackson and Timmy Jernigan.
In his place, Eagles have signed two UDFAs from the 2019 draft in Anthony Rush and Albert Huggins. They might be rookies, they might not have been drafted, but they might have to play significant snaps immediately:
“It’s gonna have to be quick”
Jim Schwartz on how fast new DTs will have to play
Huggins was a top-20 DT prospect coming out of Clemson but went undrafted. As part of a rotation that featured Christian Wilkins, Dexter Larence, Clelin Ferrell, and Austin Bryant, he was always going to be the odd man out.
In 2018 however, he flashed an ability to get to the QB (finishing with more sacks than Lawrence that season) and stuff the run, tallying 5 tackles in the Tigers’ national championship win.
He may have only had four starts but saw plenty of time as a rotational defensive tackle. At 6’3, 305 lbs, he finished his career at Clemson with 69 tackles, 13 TFL, and 7.5 sacks.
As for Rush, his name will be familiar as he spent most of his first NFL Summer with the Eagles. He ended 2018 with 43 tackles, 11 TFL and a pair of sacks for UAB. A true small-school sleeper, Rush has a ridiculously intimidating frame at 6’5, 350 lbs, but lacked pass-rushing moves. Although, he did break out during the preseason for the Raiders after the Eagles cut him.
Doug hinted in his press conference today that Howie Roseman and himself will be looking into the trade market, but so far, there’s no indication a move will happen prior to the Bills game:
“We understand our injury situation, especially defensive line. If we just start there, let’s say, and look and see what’s available, see what we can do”
Doug Pederson
The injury bug gets bigger as the season progress for a team that is desperate for a win to keep the season alive.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
