Looking For Answers

Beyond the on- and off-field impact and imprint that Brandon Graham made on the city of Philadelphia, the loss of his revered pass rush creates a major ripple effect.

Graham tore his triceps Sunday night against the Rams and is out for the rest of the season, leaving the Eagles razor thin at the position, as Graham now joins big-ticket free agent signing Bryce Huff on injured reserve.

The difference being that Huff has an opportunity to return late in the season.

But who becomes the edge rusher that takes on more of a workload and steps up in the interim?

The Eagles have done a masterful job of preserving Josh Sweat, managing his snaps and, even most recently, affording him rest days.

Sweat, you may remember, logged 828 snaps last season and appeared gassed coming out of the bye week. Then there’s first- and second-year players such as Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, respectively, who must take on a greater burden in the meantime, the latter of which figures to benefit most from the increased workload.

A three-man rotation, though, won’t do, prompting the Eagles to look outside the organization.

On Tuesday, the team claimed veteran defensive end Charles Harris for depth purposes. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio on Wednesday also mentioned another possibility as the Eagles work diligently to patch up the room.

Here’s a look at the two players most likely to factor into the rotation, as early as Sunday.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles practice squad EDGE Tarron Jackson has experience in Vic Fangio’s defense, which could get him active vs. Ravens.

Charles Harris

As of Wednesday afternoon, Fangio hadn’t had a chance to watch newly acquired defensive end Charles Harris – or Chuck, as Harris prefers to be called.

The veteran coach also admitted he’s fairly unfamiliar with Harris’ game and how he can fit into the equation.

“Not a lot. Not a lot,” Fangio said. “Hoping to find out here soon.”

Harris, 29, was acquired Tuesday via waivers from the Carolina Panthers to provide experienced depth at the team’s thinnest position. With the Panthers, Harris appeared in nine games (six starts), and accounted for 66% of the defensive snaps. He managed 21 tackles (four for loss), three sacks and seven quarterback hits.

That a player with the pedigree and resume of Harris was even available at this stage of the season is a rare occurrence, but for the Eagles to land a veteran player in game shape –  one who can still produce – in late November is about as good a circumstance as the Eagles could have asked for given their need.

Harris, who joins a pass-rush contingent that includes Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith and rookie Jalyx Hunt, could vault into third in the rotation once he’s fully acclimated, allowing Hunt to develop without as much pressure while also maximizing his explosiveness.

But the addition isn’t without its own unique challenges, however, as Harris, now on his fifth NFL team, must endure a crash course in familiarizing himself with Fangio’s scheme to bolster the unit on game days, a reality Fangio spoke.

“Well, you’ve got to cram like some of us used to do for exams,” he said. “You’ve got to put in a lot of extra time and get them on the practice field and get them rolling and see how quickly he picks things up.”

Tarron Jackson

Given their need for bodies and experience in Fangio’s scheme, the Eagles could lean on fourth-year defensive end Tarron Jackson ahead of their highly anticipated showdown in Baltimore.

Jackson, a sixth-round pick in 2021, recently rejoined the team, signing to the practice squad earlier this month after spending the early part of the season with the Panthers.

Jackson appeared in three games with the Panthers this season, giving him 24 career appearances. The Coastal Carolina product turned in a respectable showing this summer under Fangio’s watchful eye, showcasing speed, versatility and fluidity dropping and navigating space.

But a crowded house at his position kept him off the 53-man roster. Fangio, however, noted that Jackson hasn’t changed much since rejoining the team, while also suggesting he could be in the immediate mix as the team attempts to fill the void.

“He was basically the same guy that left here when he came back,” he said. “He’s a possibility, too, for sure.”

Jackson, whose resume includes 18 tackles (two for loss), a sack and a forced fumble, could potentially round out the five-man rotation, at least until Huff presumably returns for the stretch run.

Jackson also offers the ability to contribute on special teams, where third-rounder Jalyx Hunt has been a prominent mainstay. With Hunt now undertaking a larger defensive role, perhaps Jackson can take on some of his special teams work.

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