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Cooper DeJean Returns To Practice After Missing 3 Weeks

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Author and Dylan MacKinnon
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 30: Defensive back Cooper DeJean #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs a punt return down the sideline during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Eagles’ plan at cornerback got thrown off right as Training Camp started. Cooper DeJean injured his hamstring while working out on his own. It meant that for the first 3 weeks of Camp, he never saw the field. But DeJean finally stepped onto the practice field. Today at the joint practice with the Patriots, he participated for the 1st time, but only in individual drills.

But after missing so much time, what role could he have? He is 3 weeks behind everyone else, and other guys have already done hard work to fight for the open jobs. Can he still carve out a role for himself to start the season in the time he has left?

Cooper DeJean’s Role In The Secondary

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 30: Defensive back Cooper DeJean #3 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs back a punt return during the second half breaking a tackle by defensive back Malik Spencer #43 the Michigan State Spartans at Kinnick Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa.
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

There were many people that thought he might have a chance to win the Slot Cornerback job, with Darius Slay and Quinyon Mitchell outside. But in his absence, it seems Mitchell became the favorite for the slot, and either Isaiah Rodgers or Kelee Ringo will play outside.

It is hard to see DeJean starting now, at least to open the season. He will still have a role, provided he lives up to the hype. But he is behind the 8-ball, and today before practice Nick Sirianni talked about DeJean needing to catch up.

“He has to get caught up as far as getting his body ready to go, and he has to get caught up when he gets stream reps and development reps. every rep he gets he has to take advantage of.”

The Eagles are suddently deep at corner. Deep enough their 1st round pick Quinyon Mitchell may have to play the slot to open his career. But they will find a way to use Dejean.

One of the big selling points on him was how versatile he is. Wheter it is in the new Kick Return format, or as an extra corner, or even a safety, DeJean will find a role for himself. But the early absence might have cost him a chance to start right away.

We will see how long it takes Cooper DeJean to return to team practices, and if he can get on the field for he pre-season game. If he is as good as promised, they will find ways to use him.

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Dylan MacKinnon is The Digital Content Coordinator For 97.5 The Fanatic. he has been an Eagles, Flyers, Sixers, and Flyers fan his whole life. He graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelors in Journalism. Dylan has worked at the Fanatic since 2016, starting as an Intern, moving to the Street team, and eventually was hired as an Associate Producer before settling into his current role in the Digital Department. You may hear him referred to on-air as "The D-Train."

Who Will Be The Eagles Camp Darling? 7 Likely Candidates

  • John Ross

    Speed does not always play in the NFL, but it can play in camp. It is easy to see someone as fast as John Ross impressing in camp with his straight-line speed. With a few long TDs in practice or a pre-season game, Eagles fans will fall in love and think he is going to have a breakout season at 28 years old, 7 years after being drafted.

    He is a long shot to make the team, even with a good camp. We have seen him struggle in the NFL. He has had a lot of shots and didn’t make use of any of them. But he has the skill set to be a guy who looks good in practice.

    NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "John Ross. 52-yard @Giants touchdown! #TogetherBlue📺: #NYGvsNO on FOX📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/ACsk6GCSCp / X"

    John Ross. 52-yard @Giants touchdown! #TogetherBlue📺: #NYGvsNO on FOX📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/ACsk6GCSCp

  • Johnny Wilson

    Eagles fans love a tall WR. Wilson is tall, with decent speed. Like Ross, he has some traits that could make him stand out in practice.

    Does he have the skills to be an NFL WR, we don’t know. But he easily could have a big pre-season game and win the hearts of Eagles fans who are crazy enough to be locked into the second half of the 3rd Pre-Season game. Then it is just a matter of if he can crack the roster. But I could see him being a practice squad guy unless he is so good he forces their hand.

    FSU Football on X (formerly Twitter): "Catch. Run. Shake a tackle. Run....TOUCHDOWN, JOHNNY WILSON! #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/bQet4slFoH / X"

    Catch. Run. Shake a tackle. Run....TOUCHDOWN, JOHNNY WILSON! #NoleFamily | #KeepCLIMBing pic.twitter.com/bQet4slFoH

  • Kendall Milton

    An RB from Georgia, of course, Eagles fans will fall in love. I doubt we see much of Barkley or Gainwell in the pre-season. Someone has to get carries. Will Shipley will get a good chunk, but so will UDFA Kendall Milton.

    Milton was a fine back in College. There is nothing overly special about him, but he is solid. If he gets a ton of carries in these games, I won’t be shocked if he puts up big numbers. I doubt he makes the team though. Barkley, Gainwell, and Shipley are locks. Will they keep a 4th RB? I doubt it. But Eagles fans might fall in love with him anyway.

    Georgia Football on X (formerly Twitter): "33 yards untouched.Watch live on ESPN#GoDawgs | @therealkmilt pic.twitter.com/XlSxuqUh27 / X"

    33 yards untouched.Watch live on ESPN#GoDawgs | @therealkmilt pic.twitter.com/XlSxuqUh27

  • Joseph Ngata

    Ngata was a camp darling last year. He impressed in camp but then was relegated to the practice squad. He will get another chance to be a camp darling this year. But it will be an uphill battle to make the roster yet again. There are a lot of WRs competing for a few spots.

    At one point he was a highly touted College recruit. we never quite saw it, which is why he was a UDFA. But the traits that had him highly regarded going into College are still there, and can still show up on a practice field.

    CFB Kings on X (formerly Twitter): "DJ Uiagalelei finds Joseph Ngata for a 20-yard TD to get Clemson on the board and give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.#CLEMvsSYR pic.twitter.com/X5LQfg6cG5 / X"

    DJ Uiagalelei finds Joseph Ngata for a 20-yard TD to get Clemson on the board and give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.#CLEMvsSYR pic.twitter.com/X5LQfg6cG5

  • Isaiah Rodgers

    Rodgers is already a camp darling and camp hasn’t started. There were Eagles fans who swore the Eagles did not need to draft a corner because they had Rodgers. Thankfully the Eagles disagreed and drafted 2 of them.

    Rodgers was a good corner for the Colts. But he is no lock to make the team. Cornerback is the busiest position on the team. 4 spots, Slay, Mitchell, Ringo, and Dejean, are locks. That leaves 7 other guys competing for maybe 2 spots. Rodgers having success in the past gives him a leg off, but I can see him getting cut, and I can see Eagles fans losing their mind about it.

    Indianapolis Colts on X (formerly Twitter): "AIR RODGERS. ✈️📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/OdWdANZS7a / X"

    AIR RODGERS. ✈️📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/OdWdANZS7a

  • Ainias Smith

    Here is a camp darling who might have a chance to break tradition and actually make the team. Smith was compared to Deebo Samuel when he was drafted. The skillset speaks to a guy who would be the perfect WR3 on this team.

    But again, cracking the team as a WR may be tough. They need a WR 3 though, so if he impresses in the slot, he does have a chance. of all the WRs here, I think he has the best chance to actually be something.

    Texas A&M Football on X (formerly Twitter): "Sheesh.@haynes_king10 → TD → @ainias_smith📺 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/b8tXsv36IU / X"

    Sheesh.@haynes_king10 → TD → @ainias_smith📺 @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/b8tXsv36IU

  • Nolan Smith

    As a former 1st round pick, Smith does not fit the criteria of the traditional camp darling. He is a lock to make a team and comes in with high expectations. But he is a guy where his skillset has not yet matched production. I can foresee him having a huge camp, making people very excited.

    Does that mean he will also be great in the season? Maybe, maybe not. We won’t know until the games start. But Smith’s big camp had people thinking he would make an impact last season, and he never did. I will be surprised if he is not one of the camp standouts this season too. It is just a matter of if it carries into the season again.

    NFL on X (formerly Twitter): "Nolan Smith gets his first career sack! 😤📺: #MIAvsPHI on NBC📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0rIJPFKW6L pic.twitter.com/MlroIKmVtJ / X"

    Nolan Smith gets his first career sack! 😤📺: #MIAvsPHI on NBC📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0rIJPFKW6L pic.twitter.com/MlroIKmVtJ

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