The Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary woes increased on Tuesday when defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz confirmed that cornerback Ronald Darby will likely miss “a few games” after suffering a hamstring injury during their Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo initially speculated that he “wouldn’t be surprised if he was out a month or so.”
It’s been a nightmare stint in Philadelphia for Darby, who was acquired from the Buffalo Bills before the start of the 2017 season.
Health-wise, he’s been unlucky and unreliable as he missed a combined 14 games over the past two seasons due to a dislocated ankle and torn ACL.
If he were to miss four-to-five games because of this hamstring injury, that means he will have missed about half of the Eagles’ games over the past three seasons.
Performance-wise, he’s been a liability. Especially this season.
Through the Eagles’ first three games, Darby allowed a 110.2 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks this season.
He was targeted 15 times, allowing eight receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown.
It was a slightly better pace than his numbers from last year. Darby allowed 50 completion on 82 targets for 520 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
Still, Darby’s absence brings the Eagles’ number of healthy cornerbacks down to just three in Avonte Maddox, Rasul Douglas, and Sidney Jones.
Jalen Mills is not eligible to be taken off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list until Week 7, which means the Eagles will have to scramble to pick up another cornerback for depth purposes.
Moving forward, Jones and Douglas are expected to start on the outside while Maddox mans the slot.
While Eagles fans are holding out hope that the team could make a trade for Jaguars star cornerback Jalen Ramsey — which would not only add depth but provide a huge boost to a struggling unit — Jacksonville reportedly has no desire to trade the star defensive back despite his request to be shipped out of town.
The Eagles have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, allowing the fourth-most yards through three games (882) along with seven passing touchdowns.
Philadelphia’s depleted secondary has a quick turnaround following the Lions loss on Sunday as they take on the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.
Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has struggled to put up big numbers this season but could be licking his chops ahead of his matchup against the Eagles.
The seven-time Pro Bowler has yet to pass for 250 yards in a game this season while his QBR is at a low 46.0.
