HC Nick Sirianni on DE Derek Barnett. pic.twitter.com/i3qqb1BjZC
Buy Eagles Tickets— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 12, 2022
A team already struggling to generate a natural pass rush will be down one player after Derek Barnett suffered a torn ACL late in the third quarter against the Lions.
Barnett was the Eagles’ first-round pick in the 2017 draft and signed a two-year deal to return to Philadelphia during the offseason.
A former star in the SEC, Barnett has 21.5 career sacks, 147 total tackles, and a penchant for infuriating his coaches with personal fouls or over-the-edge penalties.
With Barnett out for the year, here are the four biggest takeaways.
Eagles won't add a free agent
Philadelphia loses a pass rusher, but they’re unlikely to seek out personnel from off the street.
The Eagles have Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Tarron Jackson, who was inactive on Sunday.
Chance for creativity
On several snaps Sundays, the Eagles slid Fletcher Cox down to the defensive end spot, and Barnett’s absence could allow Jordan Davis five-ten more snaps at defensive tackle.
SAMS the man
The Eagles have retooled the roster, and with Jonathan Gannon emphasizing the SAM linebacker position, Patrick Johnson and Kyron Johnson could see more snaps from a standup end position.
Such a move would allow Philadelphia to play a more natural 3-4 or 5-2 look.
Free agent options
If Howie Roseman does look outside the organization, free agents like Jason Pierre-Paul, Takkarist McKinley, Pernell McPhee, Ndamukong Suh, Jeremiah Attaochu, Dee Ford, and Alex Okafor, among others.
