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The Eagles are back in Philadelphia after their long trip to London, and there’s a lot to celebrate as the team gets back to .500 on the season and heads into a bye week.
While this year’s Eagles team spent the weekend abroad, several of the team’s former players were making headlines elsewhere, including DeSean Jackson asking for a trade ahead of the deadline and LeSean McCoy being questionable for Buffalo’s Monday night primetime matchup against the Patriots.
Here’s how some other former Eagles performed in Week 8:
Mychal Kendricks update
It’s been one heck of a year for the former Eagles linebacker, who in August pleaded guilty to federal insider trading charges. With months before he was next set to stand in front of a judge, the Seattle Seahawks signed him to a one-year deal and surprisingly got a lot of production out of Kendricks through three games.
But then, the league decided to suspend Kendricks indefinitely. A suspension was a given, as legal issues tend to draw concern from the NFL, but to be given the “indefinite” designation was a bit of a surprise.
Since then, both Seahawks’ head coach Pete Carroll and the linebacker have appealed to the league, and commissioner Roger Goodell directly.
“Kendricks explained to Goodell that he never profited off his insider trading,paid back the money involved and demonstrated contrition, according to the source. As early as this week, Goodell could place an actual term on the linebacker’s suspension rather than leaving it at an almost unprecedented indefinite status.” — Adam Schefter, ESPN
Goodell could have ruled sooner, but he was traveling and then had to attend the Eagles-Jaguars game in London, delaying his decision. With domestic violence being an “automatic” six-game suspension, it would be surprising if Kendricks got something more than that — and it’ll be interesting if he’ll get time-served for the past four weeks he’s missed.
Let’s talk DeSean Jackson
It’s kind of incredible that DeSean Jackson is already in his 11th year in the league, and that this is his fifth season not suiting up in Eagles green. He’s still every bit of the deep threat that he was during his time in Philadelphia, and still manages to ruffle some feathers along the way.
Recently, it was reported that Jackson has asked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to trade him ahead of the deadline. It’s not that he’s entirely unhappy with Tampa Bay, but doesn’t think he’s as productive with QB Jameis Winston as he is with the team back-up, Ryan Fitzpatrick.
From our @NFLGameDay Kickoff Show: #Bucs WR DeSean Jackson requests a trade, one that all-in Tampa Bay has resisted. Details pic.twitter.com/pFfoACX62a
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 28, 2018
There’s been a lot of speculation the past week or so about whether the Eagles need to add a wide receiver to their roster, and whether that receiver should be Jackson.
Through seven games this season, Jackson has 26 receptions on 43 targets for 594 yards and four touchdowns — not to mention, 20 first down catches. His current 22.8 yards per catch is a career-high for the receiver, but still not good enough. During Winston’s embarrassing 4-INT day on Sunday, Jackson had only three catches despite being able to make them stretch for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Wilson was benched for Kirkpatrick after his fourth pick, but the team still won’t commit to making a full-time change at quarterback, which means Jackson will probably be no happier with the situation on Monday than he was on Saturday.
Poll
Should the Eagles trade for DeSean Jackson?
Not always smart to look back
I’ve admittedly stanned for both LeGarette Blount and Trey Burton throughout the first half of the season, but they don’t always have me longing for them to come back.
In Week 8, Blount had three carries for just three yards with the Lions, in addition to one 23-yard reception. Similarly, Burton had just three catches for 18 yards for the Bears on Sunday.
“Meh” production isn’t limited to the offensive side of the ball either. The Raiders have committed to Daryl Worley as one of their starting cornerbacks, but he only made three total tackles in Sunday’s loss to the Colts. And for the Colts, former Eagles linebacker Najee Goode has been mostly relegated to special teams, lining up for 77% of special teams snaps in Week 8.
Injuries, Inactives and Bye Weeks
- Bucs DE Vinny Curry was inactive for his second game in a row with an ankle injury.
- Panthers wideout Torrey Smith was inactive for the Panthers in Week 8 due to a knee injury.
- Running back LeSean McCoy was still in concussion protocol last week, but with the Bills playing on Monday Night Football had an extra day of rest. Whether or not he’ll be active will likely be a game time decision.
- And, as always, Sam Bradford was inactive again for the Cardinals, as he continues to be one of the highest-paid bench warmers in the NFL.
- The Chargers are on bye this week, but kicker Caleb Sturgis was back to full participation in practice during the week, and is expected to be a go in Week 9. The Titans (Bennie Logan) were also on bye in Week 8.
- There are also still a few former Eagles on IR, including Jaylen Watkins (Chargers), Patrick Robinson (Saints), and Marcus Johnson (Colts).