Jernigan Situation Gets More Complicated

It turns out the Tim Jernigan situation is more complicated than we thought.

Eagles’ starting DT Timmy Jernigan underwent surgery on a herniated disc in his back last week and is expected to be out four-to-six months, league sources tell @FieldYates and me.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 3, 2018

Another layer to this story: the Eagles and Jernigan have agreed to a reworked contract, in which the final three years of Jernigan’s deal are now option years with no guaranteed money. Philly will evaluate his health as part of the decision going forward. https://t.co/D4WaXnFW7M

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 3, 2018

Wow.

So Jernigan hurt himself while working out on his own. That’s why he is having surgery now and not back when the season ended. The injury had nothing to do with the 2017 season.

The Eagles could have cut him because this was a non-football injury, but instead decided to re-work his deal. That is fair to both sides. The Eagles had great chemistry last year and the organization wants happy players, but they have to be careful with a DT coming off a serious back injury.

As to this year, Jernigan could be out until early November, the midpoint of the season. He could also be back in time for the opener. The Eagles don’t have to make a move. They have pretty good depth at DT as of now. They could get by for a month or two without Jernigan if needed.

If anyone else got hurt, things would become challenging. That may make the team add someone.

DT: Fletcher Cox – Destiny Vaeao – Azziz Shittu – Bruce Hector
DT: Haloti Ngata – Elijah Qualls – Winston Craig

We know Michael Bennett will play a lot of snaps at DT in the Nickel and Dime looks so you have to factor that into the equation. Brandon Graham can also slide inside in passing situations.

The Eagles could watch some practices to see what they think of the young DTs they already have. The problem with that is that non-contact practices don’t give you a great feel for DTs. That is a position where physicality is critical.

There are some free agent DTs who would make some sense for the Eagles. Jonathan Hankins is 6-3, 320 and is more of a power guy, but he once had 7 sacks while playing in a 1-gap system. I’ve always thought he was somewhat underrated. Terrell McClain got cut recently. He is a high-motor, 1-gap DT. Former Eagle Cedric Thornton is available. There could also be some trade options, but don’t expect anything too compelling.

It will be interesting to see what happens. Howie Roseman tends to be an aggressive GM. Joe Douglas believes in patience and might preach to wait and see how things play out. Jim Schwartz has proven he can add veterans in the summer and get them to fit into his scheme pretty quickly. The flip side is that the guys on the market now may get signed in the coming weeks. If the Eagles like any of them and can get them cheap, it might be wise to do the deal.

It is important to remember that Jernigan will be back. The Eagles don’t need a long term solution. This is all about getting through the summer and early part of the season.

*****

The #Eagles picked up an option in coach Doug Pederson's contract after the Super Bowl win, per sources. Original four-year deal now a five-year deal, and Pederson is signed through 2020.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 3, 2018

Questionable move.

Anybody can win one Super Bowl. Truly great coaches win two or more. Pederson hasn’t done squat. One Super Bowl in two year is a 50-percent success rate. Would you reward a doctor or lawyer with those numbers? Heck no.

Looks like the Eagles are starting to embrace mediocrity.

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