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The Eagles will be without defender Derek Barnett for the remainder of the 2018 season, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Barnett, 22, would have an operation at the shoulder and his season is over.
Barnett was injured on the shoulder during the Titans game and then missed the Vikings match. He came back to play against the Giants and Panthers, but he could not seem to keep playing.
His second season in the NFL will end with 2½ sacks. Before the shoulder injury, Barnett had been the best and most consistent defender of the Eagles.
Without Barnett, the Eagles will likely train Michael Bennett in the right defensive position. This will have a domino effect because not only will it limit the rotation of the defensive end, but it will probably also limit the number of shots that Bennett can perform inside during a defensive tackle.
The Eagles were already lean to DT, having just Fletcher Cox, Treyvon Hester and Bruce Hector in good health for the Panthers game. Even when Haloti Ngata (calf) returns, the Eagles still do not have much depth. Tim Jernigan is allowed to return in accordance with the rules regarding injuries not related to football, but nothing indicates that he is about to be ready.
At least in the short term, this should mean a slight upside for rookie Josh Sweat and increased importance for Chris Long's role. Sweat only played 15 defensive shots all season.
Barnett, of course, was the Eagles' first choice last season. He was a rookie player as a rookie, but took a starting role in his second NFL season, even after the Eagles traded for a Bennett Pro Bowler. At the start of the season, Barnett showed that he was able to not only squeeze the passer but also play very well in the running.
Go ahead and add Barnett to the ever-growing list of players on the injured reserve:
Derek Barnett
Jay Ajayi
Mike Wallace
Mack Hollins
Rodney McLeod
Richard Rodgers
Destined Vaeao
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