The Eagles were already thin at the outside linebacker position, with Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo on IR, and then Za’ Darius Smith unexpectedly announced his retirement after the team’s Week 6 loss. That leaves Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson, Azeez Ojulari, and Joshua Uche manning the outside.
Patrick Johnson just recorded his first career sack in last Thursday night’s game, Ojulari was inactive for the first four games and didn’t get live reps until the Eagles played the Broncos, and Uche has 13 tackles in six games. While all those guys might be capable, Jalyx Hunt has the highest expectations to step up into a bigger role with this opportunity. That hasn’t happened just yet, but head coach Nick Sirianni and DC Vic Fangio both still have confidence in the young OLB.
“SIRIANNI: As far as my confidence in the guys there on that defensive line, a lot of confidence in them. A lot of guys that have played. Young guy in Jalyx [Hunt] who’s continuing to get better each and every week. My confidence in him is so high. And then you’ve got guys that have played a lot of football, and I’m excited about those guys and continuing to help them get better within our schemes.
So yeah, I like that position. I like the depth that we have at that position.“
Fangio shared similar sentiments when asked about the edge depth and concerns. He explained that it would be great to get more players at just about every position, but ultimately he’s happy with the guys already on the roster and thinks some are capable of stepping up with this opportunity. Hunt specifically is someone the DC feels is a good young player who continues to improve.
“FANGIO: I think he’s a good young player who’s improving all the time and we’re happy to have [Jalyx Hunt]. I think he’s playing good overall.“
Hunt has accounted for 14 total tackles, including five QB hits, through six games and has been impactful at times this season.
Despite his quick accession during the Eagles Super Bowl run last year, it’s important to keep in context that Hunt is only in his second season after a college career at Houston Christian University. He was able to develop faster than expected as a rookie, but is still someone who is learning his role and honing his details and technique.
There’s a few weeks left until the league’s trade deadline, and it wouldn’t be surprising for Howie Roseman to bring someone in to help on the edge — Fangio also mentioned the possibility of moving rookie Jihaad Campbell to the outside. But for now, it’ll be up to Hunt and the other guys on the roster to figure things out.
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