Final Eagles injury report ahead of Week 1 game vs. Commanders appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After watching their 2025 NFL season get derailed by injuries – in addition to the play-calling faux pas of Kevin Patullo – the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves relatively unscathed heading into Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Now granted, that can change in a hurry, as the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots quickly learned in their Wednesday night Super Bowl rematch, but with their final injury report submitted before Week 1, only two players appear: star free agent edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who is officially out, and rookie tight end Eli Stowers, who is questionable to make his NFL debut against the Washington Commanders.
While Greenard won't be on the field in Week 1 alongside Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and company, it sounds like his absence won't be an extended one, as he said he was "close" heading into Week 1.
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#Commanders

The Philadelphia Eagles issued their second official injury report of the week on Thursday in advance of their Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders.
The Eagles listed two players under LIMITED PARTICIPATION: Jonathan Greenard and Eli Stowers.
The Eagles are said to be determining Greenard's availability based on how he fares in practice this week. Two days of him being limited doesn't necessarily preclude him from playing … but they'd probably like to see him get at least one full session in before he suits up. So, we'll see how things go for Friday's final injury report.
Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard said he does not know if he will play Sunday (“That’s up to (the coaches)”)

He called his pec injury “one of them freak things” that happened while working out.

“Thank God I didn’t need surgery.”

“Obviously it's not 100 (percent), but in a…
"We're close, I know that."

Asked #Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard if he will play Sunday against the Commanders and he said that will be a coaches decision.

Greenard said his pec injury came from lifting weights and was a "freak injury" pic.twitter.com/GxKWpgo2aM

#Eagles #injury

Eagles news: Jonathan Greenard sounds off on 'freak' pec injury, Week 1 status appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Eagles expect Jonathan Greenard to be an important member of their pass-rushing attack this season, but they may want to exercise some caution in Week 1. The 29-year-old outside linebacker missed training camp with a pectoral injury and may not be ready for Sunday's home matchup versus the Washington Commanders. Greenard is grateful for the progress he is making, though.
"Eagles edge rusher Jonathan Greenard said he does not know if he will play Sunday ('That's up to (the coaches)')," Brooks Kubena of The Athletic reported on Thursday evening. "He called his pec injury 'one of them freak things' that happened while working out. 'Thank God I didn't need surgery. Obviously it's not 100 (percent), but in a pretty good spot, though, where I'm confident where I feel at.'"
If the 2024 Pro Bowl selection is going to face physical limitations right from the jump, head coach Nick Sirianni and the team medical staff could choose to keep him on the sidelines for the Washington game. Divisional battles can be tricky, particularly when they act as season openers, but the Eagles boast impressive balance on defense. At least on paper.
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#injury #though

The Eagles' defense will probably be ahead of the offense to start the 2026 season, and that should prove positive for a unit that's completely meshed with their legendary defensive coordinator. Third down is where Vic Fangio's creativity and the Eagles' defensive versatility should become most apparent. Philadelphia can use Cooper DeJean and Michael Carter II together, move Jalen Carter across the defensive front, and rotate several edge rushers without sacrificing coverage on the backend. Fangio could remove traditional positions entirely when Philadelphia reaches obvious passing situations.
With Washington presenting a mobile quarterback and multiple receiving threats, here is what the Eagles' third-down defense could look like in Week 1.
A likely third-and-long package would feature Jalen Carter and Moro Ojomo inside, with Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt or Jonathan Greenard rushing from the edges. Jihaad Campbell could join the rush from several alignments. Zack Baun would remain as the primary linebacker because of his coverage ability and understanding of Fangio's scheme.
The secondary could include Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell outside, Cooper DeJean and Michael Carter II inside, and Andrew Mukuba as the deepest safety. Marcus Epps or another pass rusher would claim the final position depending on the distance.
DeJean gives Fangio the ability to disguise the coverage. He can begin near the line of scrimmage before dropping to safety, blitz from the slot, or match a tight end. Carter can cover a traditional slot receiver and allow DeJean to move elsewhere.

#Eagles #defensive

The Philadelphia Eagles are less than ten days away from opening up the 2026 regular season, and it wouldn't be shocking to see the defense far ahead of a revamped offensive unit. Vic Fangio's defense is among the NFL's best, and his personnel will change with the situation, making a traditional 11-player depth chart less useful than identifying his primary packages.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo should anchor the defensive line, with Ty Robinson and Byron Young rotating heavily enough to receive meaningful snaps. Carter will remain the interior pass-rush centerpiece, while Davis' conditioning should allow him to handle another substantial workload.
Nolan Smith is projected to start on one edge. Jonathan Greenard was acquired to start opposite him, but his uncertain Week 1 availability could push Jalyx Hunt into the opening lineup. Epenesa and Ebiketie provide experienced rotational depth. Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell give the Eagles two linebackers capable of rushing, covering, and defending the run. Trotter should remain involved, particularly in packages that allow Campbell to move toward the line of scrimmage.
Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell project as the outside cornerbacks, with Cooper DeJean operating from the slot. DeJean's versatility also allows Fangio to move him to safety and insert Carter into the nickel role. Mukuba and Epps are the projected starting safeties, but Philadelphia's actual secondary could contain six defensive backs on obvious passing downs.
The depth gives Fangio several options. The primary Week 1 question is whether Philadelphia can generate enough edge pressure if Greenard is unavailable.

#fangio

The Philadelphia Eagles possess one of the NFL's most complete rosters, but even championship contenders enter every season with players who must step up and provide more.
The Birds are stacked with young players and key veterans preparing to inherit larger roles. Others are veterans attempting to reestablish themselves after uneven performances. As the season opener against Washington looms,t here are a handful of players on the roster who need to take another jump.
Here are five Eagles who must improve during the 2026 season.
Smith enters a pivotal stage of his development after having his fifth-year option exercised. His speed and effort have never been questioned, but Philadelphia needs him to become a more consistent pass-rushing threat who can win without being schemed into favorable situations. Jonathan Greenard, A.J. Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie and Jalyx Hunt give Vic Fangio options on the edge. Smith must separate himself by finishing pressures and holding up against the run.
Steen's physical ability has always made him an intriguing option along the interior offensive line. Now, the Eagles need dependable week-to-week production from a player who has Pro Bowl potential. He must play with better balance in pass protection, recognize pressure more quickly, and eliminate the lapses that can derail otherwise productive possessions. A strong season in a contract year would stabilize the offensive line and reduce the need to accelerate the development of Philadelphia's younger blockers.

#Eagles #philadelphia #Veterans

With seven days to go before the Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 regular season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium, here are seven things for Packers fans to know about Kevin O'Connell's team entering 2026:
Unlike last season, the Packers won't be facing J.J. McCarthy or Max Brosmer in the season opener. The Vikings are turning a new page at quarterback, starting former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray to open the 2026 season. Murray is 0-2 as a starter in his career against the Packers. At his best, Murray is a playmaker at quarterback who can extend plays or create explosive gains with his legs. But Murray hasn't led a team to a winning record as a starter since 2021, and his career passer rating is 92.2. Last season, Murray played in only five games, and he hasn't appeared in a regular season game since Oct. 5 of 2025. Can he provide a higher baseline of play at quarterback in Minnesota, and is he more than just another stopgap?
Kevin O'Connell on Kyler Murray: "I think he's demonstrated what he's capable of, both the experience he has playing at a high level in this league, but also his experience now of coming in here being challenged. And I think he's shown enough to really project with the right prerequisite now of work for a starter leading into a camp that we can get the rhythm, the timing, we can get the mastery of our system and this year's system, regardless of what we've done in previous years, what we're going to look like, how we're going to play. There's different things and nuances that we're going to fit to what our players, Kyler included, do the best. And in my opinion, he's got the skill set and the abilities, not only just from a standpoint of accuracy, but his ability to affect the game with his athleticism."
A bit of a surprise before Week 1: Harrison Smith is coming out of retirement to re-join the Vikings for a 15th NFL season. A versatile veteran who knows Brian Flores' system inside and out, Smith provides an experienced veteran who can get everyone on the same page pre-snap and play from multiple alignments post-snap. While he wasn't in Minnesota for training camp, it's likely Smith will be ready to contribute right away in Week 1. The Packers will have to wait another year to face the post-Smith Vikings.
The Vikings traded away top pass-rusher Jonathan Greenard, leaving a hole on the edge of Brian Flores' defense. He was a menacing rusher who made the Pro Bowl in 2024, but Greenard dealt with lingering injuries in 2025 and is now playing for the Eagles. Who will take over his role? Dallas Turner, a 2024 first-round pick, is now expected to be the go-to pass-rusher in Minnesota. Expect to see plenty of battles between Turner and 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan next Sunday. Last season, Turner produced 8.0 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Is he ready for a breakout season in Year 3? Andrew Van Ginkel is another productive player on the edge, and the Vikings also added veteran Kyle Van Noy to t

Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The Minnesota Vikings agreed to sign free agent defender Kyle Van Noy.
Sources told the Minnesota Star Tribune, The Athletic and the Ringer about the pact Tuesday night. Van Noy spent the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The 12-year veteran totaled a career-high 12.5 sacks, with 14 tackles for a loss, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery over 16 appearances for the Ravens in 2024, en route to Pro Bowl honors. He totaled four tackles for a loss, two sacks, four passes defensed and an interception over 15 appearances last season.
Van Noy will bring depth to the Vikings' edge rusher group, which lost Jonathan Greenard through an off-season trade to the Philadelphia Eagles and Tyler Batty to an ACL tear in their preseason finale.
Van Noy is expected to play behind Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel, who played with him in 2020 under former Miami Dolphins coach Brain Flores -- the Vikings' defensive coordinator. Chaz Chambliss and Bo Richter are the other outside linebackers on the Vikings roster.

#Vikings #totaled #passes

The Eagles are up in New England for joint practices ahead of their second preseason game. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke to reporters before taking the field, and he gave some insights into players performance in the first preseason game, and also gave an unfortunate update regarding Jonathan Greenard's return from injury.
Here's what else the DC had to say:
When asked if there was concern that Greenard's pec injury could keep him sidelined to start the regular season, he admitted that was a possibility.
" I don't know when Greenard will be back. That injury he got in our weight room is going to take some time to heal."
In the meantime, though, Fangio said he's been happy with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, and also mentioned Arnold Ebiketie has been coming along. The DC said they are really looking for the third and fourth guy on the depth chart to solidify himself while they wait for Greenard to get back.

#greenard

Eagles linebacker Jonathan Greenard has not practiced yet at training camp and it will still be some time before he's ready to get on the field.
Greenard is on the physically unable to perform list due to a pectoral injury and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said at a Tuesday press conference that it will be "another couple weeks at least" before he's able to resume football activities. Fangio said that the extended time off is something the Eagles will have to keep in mind as they try to avoid further injury once Greenard has returned to action.
"When he does come back, whenever that is, the thing you miss by not partaking in training camp — which he probably won't — you gotta get calloused to playing NFL football," Fangio said. "The banging, the running, the change of direction, the fatigue of it. He's gonna lose that. . . . That's gonna be something we have to be conscious with him when he does get back."
Fangio said Greenard has been participating in meetings and other behind the scenes work, which should join his experience in helping him make up for lost time. The timetable means that the team will still likely have to lean on Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and other pass rushers early in the season.

#greenard #fangio #time

PHILADELPHIA − We have already seen defensive linemen Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Jonathan Greenard all get new contract this offseason that are at least $25 million in average annual value.
The three were paid handsomely, none more so than Carter, who became the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL when he signed a four-year extension worth as much as $152 million on July 29, or $38 million in AAV.
But the Eagles have two more budding stars on the defensive line who could join that $25 million per year club. It's just a question of whether it will be with the Eagles or someone else.
Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets
We're talking about edge rusher Jalyx Hunt, the Eagles' third-round pick in 2024, and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, their seventh-round pick in 2023.

#Eagles #round

Let's get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
Eagles 2026 training camp practice notes, Day 1: An initial look at Sean Mannion's offense – PhillyVoice
Jalyx Hunt had a great day. On one rep he had a 1-on-1 vs. Mailata, who was on an island. Hunt got Mailata leaning outside before jumping back inside with a free path to Hurts, and he got the "sack." On the next play Hunt then beat Mailata to the outside for another "sack," although that one was more of a coverage sack. Hunt also had a tackle for loss on Tank Bigsby, and he just generally he set the edge well against the run.
10 Eagles camp observations: Jonathan Greenard's injury, Jalen Hurts' new offense – The Athletic
Two buzzworthy players who stood out in practice: Hunt and running back Tank Bigsby. Jalyx Hunt forced pressure against the Eagles' first-team offensive line. Bigsby showed some juice catching the ball out of the backfield and could carve a role on offense.
Eagles practice observations: Sean Mannion's offense starts clicking; Jalen Hurts under center; Jalyx Hunt hunts – Inquirer
Hunting season. Greenard's absence pushed Jalyx Hunt into the starting spot at right outside linebacker opposite Nolan Smith Jr. Hunt will likely play as many snaps as the other two this season. There's an argument to be made that he should get more playing time than Smith. Nevertheless, he took advantage of his opportunities with Greenard out. Hunt shot into the backfield unblocked and forced Hurts to check down to Cooper on one play-action pass that came from under center. He blew up tight end Dallas Goedert with an edge rush and Hurts had to hurry a dump to Bigsby that wasn't caught. And he beat Mailata on back-to-back rushes — one with an inside move and the other from the outside — that blew up pass plays.
Eagles Training Camp Practice Notes: Jalen Hurts and new offense show encouraging signs – BGN
JALEN HURTS UPDATE: Just like the headline says, there were encouraging signs from the Eagles' quarterback and the team's new offense. Was it perfect? No, it wasn't. There were drops. There were procedural penalties, as Lane Johnson brought up during his post-practice press conference. But this offense looked much more functional than the version that was largely dominated by Vic Fangio's defense during the team's spring practices.

#practice

After months of waiting, the Philadelphia Eagles took the field Wednesday morning for their first practice of the 2026 training camp, beginning several weeks of preparation, competition and roster evaluation at the Jefferson Health Training Complex.
Practice was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. after head coach Nick Sirianni spoke with reporters at 9:30. The opening session will provide the first on-field look at Sean Mannion's new offense, Philadelphia's revamped receiving corps and several competitions that will help shape the initial 53-man roster.
Attention will center on Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith as the offense begins installing Mannion's system. The defense will feature Jalen Carter following his record-setting contract extension, while Jonathan Greenard's absence creates additional opportunities for Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa.
The secondary will also command attention as Riq Woolen begins competing for a prominent role alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Marcus Epps, Andrew Mukuba and the rest of the safety group will begin sorting through responsibilities in Vic Fangio's defense.
This live blog will be updated throughout the morning with photos, videos, news, observations and notable moments from the practice fields. Follow along as the Eagles officially begin their work toward the 2026 regular season.

#practice

There was a time when every conversation about the Philadelphia Eagles' pass rush centered on who they didn't have. Should they trade for a superstar? Would they pursue another expensive veteran? Could they survive without adding one more marquee edge rusher? This time around, Howie Roseman answered those questions differently.
Rather than chasing headlines, the Eagles quietly **** embled one of the NFL's deeper edge rotations. Jonathan Greenard arrived via trade, giving Philadelphia another proven starter capable of making an immediate impact. Free-agent additions Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa weren't splashy acquisitions, but both represent the type of low-risk, high-upside moves Roseman has built his reputation on.
Add former first-round pick Nolan Smith, emerging pass rusher Jalyx Hunt and rookie Keyshawn James-Newby, and suddenly the Eagles have no shortage of intriguing options. That's before mentioning Joshua Weru, the undrafted rookie whose athletic upside makes him a fascinating long-term developmental project despite his limited football experience.
Philadelphia's approach says a great deal about how the organization views pass rushing. The Eagles didn't need one player to replace Jaelan Phillips, but this might be a room capable of creating relentless pressure over four quarters.
But take that thought a tad further. They may have found an upgrade for Phillips anyway. If Greenard stays healthy, there's every reason to believe he could become an even better fit than Phillips was because of his versatility and experience within multiple defensive fronts.

#phillips #philadelphia #greenard

Jonathan Greenard was acquired to help the Philadelphia Eagles rush the passer, but his impact may extend beyond sacks, pressures and third-down situations.
The veteran edge rusher is already embracing a leadership role inside one of the NFL's most intriguing young defensive fronts. Greenard, who arrived from the Minnesota Vikings in a major offseason trade, has not been fully involved in team drills while working back from December surgery, but he has spent the offseason observing, learning the culture and studying the younger players around him.
Two names have stood out: Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith.
While speaking with the Eagles official website, Greenard praised Hunt's natural tools, calling him a "freak" athlete and pointing to the kind of bend and feel that cannot be easily taught. That is notable because Hunt already entered 2026 with momentum after a breakout second season. He led the Eagles in sacks and interceptions in 2025, becoming the first player in franchise history to lead the team in both categories in the same year.
Greenard also had strong praise for Smith, saying the former first-round pick sometimes carries himself like a veteran with seven or eight years of NFL experience. That matters as Smith enters a critical season, trying to prove he is worth a fifth-year option and potentially a long-term contract extension.

#veteran

The Eagles traded for veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard in April and signed him to a new four-year contract because they think he can make an impact for them on the field.
Greenard doesn't view that as the only reason why he's in Philadelphia, however. He will be part of a position group that also includes third-year player Jalyx Hunt and 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith, and both of the younger players impressed him enough during the team's offseason workouts that he sees part of his role as making sure that they keep developing.
"I'm really excited. Jalyx and Nolan, their game is only going to continue to grow," Greenard said, via the team's website. "And I think my job here is just continue to help them with that. Any two cents I got, I'm going to [give them] to make sure that they get to that point that I know they want to get to."
The best-case scenario for the Eagles would be for Greenard to remain an effective pass rusher while Hunt and Smith take the next steps to form a potent trio they can pair with defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis on the front line of the defense.

#hunt #smith #make

The Minnesota Vikings can’t catch a break this offseason — and Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano of Two Old Bloggers [2OB] on Vikings 1st & SKOL are here to make sense of the chaos. In this episode, your two favorite old bloggers unpack the Dianna Russini police body cam scandal involving head coach Kevin O’Connell, debate whether it signals a locker room trust crisis, and ask the question every Vikings fan is thinking: does any of this actually matter when the 2026 season kicks off?
Beyond the drama, Darren and Dave get into the real football questions that will define the Vikings’ 2026 season. Can Blake Brandel — a career backup who had never started at center before last year — anchor the offensive line? Will Dallas Turner finally emerge as the edge rusher the Vikings desperately need after trading Jonathan Greenard? And with Ryan Fitzpatrick openly questioning Kyler Murray’s leadership on the Rich Eisen Show, is the Vikings’ new quarterback already carrying baggage before he’s taken a single snap in purple? As Dave puts it: “It’s bad juju.”
With training camp less than four weeks away, Darren and Dave also put the spotlight on Caleb Banks’ mysterious foot injury rehab, the safety position void left by Harrison Smith’s departure, and Tai Felton’s development as a future wide receiver option. The boys wrap with a look at leaked details about the Vikings’ new darker purple uniforms — and as always, the conversation is honest, unfiltered, and unmistakably Viking-obsessed.
Russini Scandal: Reporter showed a KOC text to a cop to dodge a ticket — a major journalism ethics breach that could erode player trust in the head coach
Blake Brandel at Center: A career backup starting at center for the first time ever; PFF grade of 61.4 last year, but showed improvement over the season

After a bit of a slow week news-wise, and a week where yours truly had a few things happening away from the interwebs, we’ve got the results of this week’s SB Nation Reacts poll about our Minnesota Vikings to share with you, so let’s get you those results here as promised.
For this week’s question, we asked you who you thought would lead the purple in quarterback sacks for this coming NFL season. We had several options, but when everybody had cast their votes, the final result was. . .well, I don’t think a whole lot of people are going to be surprised by this one.
Of those who responded to our poll, the overwhelming majority believe that it’s going to be Dallas Turner’s year to take a big step forward, as 70% believe that he will lead the Vikings in sacks this season, as he did last year. Another 20% believe that Andrew Van Ginkel will take the sack crown this year. . .he did only finish one sack behind Turner last year, despite missing multiple games with a neck issue. The other 10% are divided between Jalen Redmond (3%), Eric Wilson (2%), and the nebulous “other,” who got the same percentage in the poll as Redmond and Wilson combined.
I think Turner is the easy choice here, too. The trade of Jonathan Greenard means that he’s finally going to get full-time snaps at the outside linebacker spot, and he showed last year that he’s finally starting to get things figured out in Brian Flores’ defense. He was sort of stuck behind Greenard and Van Ginkel as a rookie, and it was tough to justify taking either of those guys off the field for him to get more snaps that season. Now, however, with a couple of seasons under his belt and an opportunity waiting to be taken, it’s time for Turner to show why the Vikings gave up what they did in order to move up for him in the 2024 NFL Draft and start building the front seven around guys like him, Redmond, and (hopefully) Caleb Banks.
Those are the results of our SB Nation Reacts poll for this week, folks. As always, we want to thank everyone who took the time to participate in our poll for this week, and make sure to keep your eyes out for the next one!

Every summer, especially during the “slow” time on the calendar, we ask VikingsTerritory writers for their hottest takes regarding the upcoming season, predictions that are bold and outlandish. This year is no different. You can read last year’s here.
Remember: these takes are designed to be “out there.” We’ll have formal predictions — serious ones — later this summer.
Predictor: Janik Eckardt
Greenard arrived in 2024 and logged 12 QB takedowns in his first campaign in purple en route to Pro Bowl recognition. Year No. 2 delivered underwhelming returns with only 3 sacks. That makes 15 sacks in a Vikings uniform, a total his successor, Dallas Turner, will eclipse in his first year as a starter.
Predictor: Tony Schultz

The Philadelphia Eagles have a young defensive core with enough talent to become one of the NFL’s most disruptive units, but training camp will determine how the pieces fit around the established names.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith Jr., Jonathan Greenard, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, and Andrew Mukuba give Philadelphia high-end talent across all three levels. The questions come behind them and around them. The Eagles must settle their safety rotation after Reed Blankenship’s departure, determine the linebacker picture, sort through a deep edge group, identify the defensive tackle depth, and decide how to align one of the league’s most crowded cornerback rooms.
Here are the Eagles' defensive position battles to track during training camp.
Mukuba enters his second season as one of the most important young players in the secondary, but the rest of the safety picture remains somewhat unsettled. Marcus Epps gives the Eagles veteran experience, and he has a fan in DC Vic Fangio, while Michael Carter II can factor into safety looks depending on personnel. Cole Wisniewski, Andre’ Sam, and Maximus Pulley add depth to a room that must replace Blankenship’s snaps and communication.
The key question is whether the Eagles use a traditional safety pairing or lean into flexibility. DeJean has taken reps at safety in base looks, while Carter gives Philadelphia another movable defensive back. Epps can steady the group, but camp will determine whether the Eagles have one clear answer next to Mukuba or a package-based solution.

Last year, the Minnesota Vikings entered the season with confidence after winning 14 games in 2024. But there was one major problem: they didn't have a reliable quarterback. Now, as the Vikings prepare for a new season, the hope is that a remade QB room featuring Kyler Murray as the leading man is enough to spark a change.
After all, defensively, the Vikings were excellent a year ago, ranking third in yards allowed and seventh in points allowed. Despite receiving some head coaching interest, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has returned for his fourth season leading the charge. Yet, there are also some changes coming to the team's defense, and some fear that they won't be able to maintain their momentum.
Some of the changes made may have been for the best. For example, the Vikings cut ties with an expensive defensive tackle duo in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave . Both have been replaced by inexpensive, high-upside rookies. Meanwhile, the Vikings also traded top edge rusher Jonathan Greenard . Perhaps most importantly, potential future Hall of Fame safety Harrison Smith may be heading for retirement.
Add it all up, and Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport suggests the Vikings' defense could take a major step back in 2026. He even goes as far as to say the secondary could "be exposed" due to a lack of depth.
"Overcoming those losses is no sure thing, with rookie Caleb Banks and Theo Jackson penciled in to start at those spots. Edge-rusher Andrew Van Ginkel is coming off a down year, and if he struggles again in 2026 a cornerback that is Minnesota's weak spot could be exposed. Minnesota's front-seven looks solid on paper, but that's going to have to translate to game days to avoid a potential slip from the top-10 to defensive mediocrity."

The Minnesota Vikings have already traded outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard this offseason to the Philadelphia Eagles , and if the club ships one more notable player elsewhere, it might just be quarterback J.J. McCarthy , according to Fansided.
That website identified every team's most tradeable player this week, and McCarthy got the nod for Minnesota .
Wynston Wilcox: McCarthy is Vikings' Main Trade Commodity
On a list of big names and prominent bench players, McCarthy drew Wilcox's attention for the Vikings, and he wrote about a trade possibility : "J.J. McCarthy is going to be the most talked about backup quarterback aside from Ty Simpson at this point."
"McCarthy's days are numbered in Minnesota. The Vikings even thinking about pursuing Anthony Richardson could very well be the end of McCarthy in the Twin Cities. It's not a matter of if McCarthy will get traded, it's when. Depending on how he plays this offseason, he'll either get dealt before Week 1 or closer to the deadline. Should McCarthy be traded ? Yes."

The Eagles enter training camp with a defense that looks dramatically different from the one that finished last season, but the new structure may give Vic Fangio one of the most athletic and flexible groups in the NFC. Philadelphia is still built through the trenches with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo, but the strength of the roster could shift toward a loaded cornerback room led by Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen. The biggest questions are not about whether the Eagles have talent. They are about how quickly the new pieces settle, how the edge-rusher rotation forms, and who earns the safety and linebacker roles around the established core.
The defensive line begins with Carter, Davis, and Ojomo. Carter played through two badly injured shoulders last season and still became the Eagles' lone Pro Bowl starter, producing 33 tackles, 41 quarterback pressures, 11 quarterback hits, and three sacks in 12 games. Davis signed a three-year, $78 million deal and remains central to Philadelphia's run defense, while Ojomo enters the final year of his contract after seeing his snap count rise and finishing second on the team in sacks. Ty Robinson and Byron Young give the Eagles young rotational options, while Gabe Hall is trying to secure a depth role.
Edge rusher is one of the most important camp battles. Jonathan Greenard arrives as the projected top-of-the-rotation pass rusher, giving Fangio a veteran presence who can work off the interior disruption created by Carter and Davis. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith remain major pieces of the plan, with Hunt coming off a season in which he led the team in sacks and interceptions, while Smith needs to turn pressure flashes into more consistent production after missing time in 2025. Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Uar Bernard, Jose Ramirez, Ta'Quon Graham, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Joshua Weru will compete for rotational snaps and roster spots after Joe Tryon-Shoyinka's retirement removed one veteran from the room.
Linebacker remains led by Zack Baun, while Jihaad Campbell's shoulder recovery will shape the rest of the depth chart. Campbell's playing time was limited when Nakobe Dean returned last season, but Dean's departure creates a clearer path once Campbell is healthy. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. enter camp looking for breakout opportunities, while Chance Campbell, Deontae Lawson, and Chandler Martin are battling for depth and special teams roles.
Cornerback could be Philadelphia's best position group. Mitchell is already one of the league's top young outside corners, and DeJean's versatility allows Fangio to move him around the formation without weakening the secondary. Woolen's arrival on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million gives the Eagles rare size, speed, and ball production opposite Mitchell. Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett can now compete from reserve roles instead of being forced into every-week starter responsibilities, while Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams,

Danielle Hunter was a solid player for the Minnesota Vikings over eight seasons. He became a multi-year second-team All-Pro and helped the franchise go from being an underwhelming unit on defense to one of the league's best.
Since arriving at NRG Stadium as the replacement for Jonathan Greenard, Hunter has exploded into a fixture of the Houston Texans' defense. He continues to be a wrecking crew opposite All-Pro Will Anderson Jr. oftentimes winning his battles against tackles and pluverizing quarterbacks for sacks.
So, where does the top sack machine in the AFC South rank on Pete Prisco's top 100 list?
In his annual Top 100 players list, Prisco listed the five Texans among the best in the NFL. To no one's surprise, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently acquired Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took home the top overall spot.
Anderson, who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, came in at No. 15 and ranked fourth among defensive ends. As for Hunter, he was a bit lower, appearing at No. 37 overall and ranking sixth among defensive ends.

The Eagles lost a depth piece from their edge-rusher competition before training camp, placing former Buccaneers first-round pick Joe Tryon-Shoyinka on the reserve/retired list.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the move, which ends Tryon-Shoyinka’s brief stint with Philadelphia before he had a chance to compete for a role in Vic Fangio’s defensive front. The Eagles had added the former Tampa Bay pass rusher as a low-risk option in a crowded edge group, hoping his length, athletic traits, and experience could make him a useful rotational candidate.
Tryon-Shoyinka entered the NFL as the No. 32 overall pick in the 2021 draft, when the Buccaneers selected him out of Washington. His best path was always built around traits and upside, but his career never fully developed into the high-end pass-rushing role Tampa Bay envisioned. He had 15 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles over his first four NFL seasons before beginning a more unsettled stretch that included stops with Cleveland, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
For the Eagles, the transaction removes one more name from a position group already changing. Philadelphia traded for Jonathan Greenard during the draft and expects him to become a top-of-the-rotation edge rusher. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith remain important young pieces, while Arnold Ebiketie, Uar Bernard, Jose Ramirez, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Joshua Weru are among the other players competing for snaps and roster spots.
Tryon-Shoyinka was not guaranteed a roster spot, but he represented another experienced body in a group where the Eagles are trying to sort out roles behind Greenard, Hunt, and Smith. His retirement narrows that competition slightly and could create more summer reps for players trying to claim the back end of the edge rotation.

After trading Jonathan Greenard in late April to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings arguably need another outside linebacker for additional depth — and that man may already be in-house. A rookie from last year, defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, is flirting with a switch to OLB, or at least some form of hybrid duty.
If the experiment clicks, Minnesota won’t need any more free-agent power from the open market.
Ingram-Dawkins on the Change
Ingram-Dawnkins filled an EDGE role at organized team activities, and KSTP’s Darren Wolfson asked him about it.
“I just cleaned up my body a lot in the offseason. I mean, I’m still 280 pounds. Why was it important to clean up your body? You know, just trying to make a big, big jump from my last year. You know, I feel like that was one of the things that I could work on in my game. You know, developing a core and all that, that’ll help me in my techniques with all the versatile positions that I’m playing across the line,” he replied.