The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense may get a revamp due to injuries, according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Fangio spoke about the potential for third-year cornerback Kelee Ringo to get a larger role in Philadelphia’s defense ahead of its showdown Sunday against the fellow unbeaten Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ringo, the Eagles’ fourth-round pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, has suited up and played entirely on special teams through their first three games.
Kelee Ringo Will ‘Get A Shot’ At Cornerback
So far, the Eagles have gone with Quinyon Mitchell and Adoree’ Jackson as their primary cornerbacks. Mitchell, the Eagles’ first-round pick in 2024, has started 19 of his 20 NFL games and played well, despite the fact he does not yet have an NFL interception.
But Jackson has largely played opposite Mitchell, since he has lined up for 66 percent of defensive snaps despite his 97th-best overall grade from Pro-Football Focus (42.7) among 102 qualifying cornerbacks. Jackson has allowed 12 receptions on 18 targets at him.
Yet, he left Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Rams in the second half with a groin injury and could miss Sunday’s game too.
Jackson’s backup Jakorian Bennett stepped in for Jackson on Sunday, and he played well too. Bennett broke up a pass and posted three tackles while playing just 12 snaps on defense Sunday.
Yet, Bennett’s status is also in doubt for Sunday, since according to Jason Dumas of WPVI, he may also miss the Eagles game against the Bucs due to a undisclosed injury. That could leave Ringo to make his fifth career defensive start Sunday.
âI’ve told Kelee here recently, not in the last few days but since the end of camp, heâs going to get his opportunity at some point,â Fangio said, âand heâs got to be ready.”
Philadelphia has not yet made a depth roster move or signing to combat the injuries to Jackson and Bennett — though they could elevate practice squad members Parry Nickerson and/or Brandon Johnson for depth.
Still, Fangio knows Ringo will be ready when called on.
“I think he knows that, eventually, he’ll get a shot for some reason whatsoever,” Fangio said, “and he’ll be ready.”
Kelee Ringo Has ‘Handled’ Not Playing Defense ‘Very Well’
Despite being a key defensive member of back-to-back national championship teams at Georgia, Ringo has played just 311 snaps on defense and started just five games in his three seasons.
Still, Ringo had the opportunity to win one of the two starting corner spots — after veteran mainstay Darius Slay signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers — but the veteran Jackson, who signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract in the off-season, claimed the role.
Still, Fangio credited Ringo for not sulking at losing out on the starting role — and the backup spot to Bennett — which confines him primarily as a scout-team player in practice. Ringo has played 707 special-teams snaps over his three years — including a team-high 62 in Philadelphia’s first three games this season.
âI think he’s handled it very well,â Fangio said. âIt didnât affect his role as a special teamer, which he’s one of the top ones in the league.”
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