August 14, 2024   5 MIN READ

Back In Action

Rookie DB DeJean Gets In First Practice

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Accompanied by teammates walking up the corridor and through the corner entrance of the New England Patriots practice field, nestled quaintly behind Gillette Stadium, Cooper DeJean sported a different look.

The rookie defensive back had ditched the team-issued sleeveless top, uniquely distinguished with his No. 33 on the front. He’d also exchanged his customary black shorts for a wardrobe more suitable for live action.

For the first time since his offseason hamstring injury, DeJean, the Eagles’ second-round pick, wore game pants, a telltale indicator his three-week stint on the NFL’s active Non-Football Injury List was nearing its end.

His return was clearly imminent.

When asked before practice, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni indicated that DeJean was slated to participate in individual work, limiting him to the half-hour or so gamut of stretching and positional work while withholding the 21-year-old from team drills.

The Eagles, about 15 minutes into the joint session with the Patriots, made it official, announcing his activation.

For the Iowa product, the return – albeit abbreviated – went off without a hitch.

“It was good,” DeJean said after practice. “That was the plan, just to do [individuals] today. See how it felt, get back out there moving. And it felt great to be back out there with those guys.”

Cooper DeJean ITB photo

ITB PHOTO: Rookie DB Cooper DeJean was cleared from active/NFI on Tuesday and practiced for the first time since camp opened.

Tuesday, of course, marked the end of the projected three-week recovery timeline from when DeJean’s hamstring injury – sustained during offseason training in Iowa – was initially revealed.

For any player, missing three weeks of training camp would be detrimental, but even more so for DeJean, a first-year player finding his way and learning multiple positions, in addition to acclimating to the complexities of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense.

“I was pretty upset,” he admitted. “Obviously, I wasn’t able to start my first NFL camp. But rehab’s been good. You know, trainers are doing a great job in helping me get back. Don’t wanna rush something like this; it’s a long season.”

Soft tissue injuries have a tendency to be volatile, however, and with DeJean factoring prominently long term as a defensive building block, the Eagles exercised a gradual approach to easing him back.

The more distance between the injury and his return reduced the possibility of a setback.

When he wasn’t vigorously working on a NovaCare Complex side field, DeJean had few other options to expedite his learning curve.

With physical reps being a pipedream, he instead relied heavily on the mental aspect of learning and was often spotted standing deep behind the Eagles’ secondary during team drills alongside fellow defensive backs Sydney Brown and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, logging mental reps, talking strategy and establishing communication.

“It’s good just to get it from that angle, like we’re on the field,” he said. “Just talking through the calls with them and seeing what they see and kinda talking through the plays. Things like that. So, it’s been good to have those guys back there to talk things through.”

But with DeJean, who repped at nickel and outside cornerback during spring practices, out of the lineup, it forced Fangio to think outside the box in an attempt to optimize his personnel.

In at nickel was first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell, new to the position prior to training camp.

Mitchell kicking inside, and responding favorably, meant veteran Isaiah Rodgers saw the vast majority of the first-team work on the outside.

Veteran incumbent Avonte Maddox, exclusively a nickel defender, has spent the bulk of his time at safety.

At least until he knows DeJean is fully cleared and up to speed, Fangio seems to have landed on an ideal combination. But it’s worth noting that the tentative secondary complexion is temporary.

In theory, once healthy and up to speed, DeJean – who said he’s trying to learn all three positions – will overtake the nickel role, moving Mitchell outside to his natural position at corner opposite Darius Slay.

But according to DeJean, there are no causes for concerns regarding his timetable for grasping Fangio’s defense and mastering his responsibilities.

“I mean most of the stuff we installed in the spring,” DeJean said. “So, I feel like I know most of the defense. It’s just a matter of getting out there and getting those reps. Just getting my feet back underneath me against other guys.”

As for his return to game action, DeJean believes a target date of Aug. 24 – the Eagles’ final preseason game – is realistic.

But as of now, it’s fair to expect more of the same, as the Eagles remain cautious with their second-round investment. Given the nature of a balky hamstring, timetables are unnecessary.

“It’s really just how I’m feeling,” DeJean said. “How its feeling. Doing full speed, change of direction, sprints, stuff like that. I’ve been feeling good, but you can’t really rush into those type of things. So, I’m trying to make sure I’m 100 percent, 110 percent and I’m ready to go.”

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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1 Comment

  • Wilten

    I never thought how crucial Maddox would be to DeJean’s learning curve since he has experience everywhere. Forgot he had a stint outside. Might prove to be one of Howie’s most important FA signings.