‘Ready To Roll’

PHILADELPHIA – Normally on Thursdays, Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker and cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Adoree’ Jackson will share part of a near practice field with the team’s contingent of punt returners. Parker will run the pair through some light agility or technical work before lobbing them passes that drill ball skills.

Normally, Jackson is part of that equation, but the veteran cornerback has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion against the Vikings. On this Thursday, for the first time this season, it was third-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett who teamed with Mitchell. It was the second practice in nearly a month for Bennett, who suffered a pectoral injury in the Eagles’ 33-26 win over the Los Angeles Rams, landing him on injured reserve.

In this particular case, timing is everything. Bennett’s return – the Eagles on Wednesday opened his 21-day practice window – comes at a time in which the Eagles could surely use a reinforcement at the position. The team has 21 days to activate Bennett, though it’s worth noting he was upgraded to being a full participant Thursday, suggesting his availability for Sunday is conceivable. After being on the shelf for the past four weeks, Bennett’s return to the practice field armed him with perspective.

“You don’t realize how much you love something until you can’t do it no more,” he said. “I know it’s kind of short-term or whatnot, but it sucked not being able to go out there and just help the team. “Jus watching it, I definitely learned a lot. But I’m glad I’m feeling good … mental’s good, physical’s good. So, I’m just kind of ready to roll.”

Eagles CB Jakorian Bennett could get in some game action Sunday against the Giants in his return from IR.

Bennett, 25, has experience navigating and attacking the recovery process from his time with the Las Vegas Raiders, but this circumstance presented its own unique set of challenges.

Arriving in Philadelphia following an early August trade, Bennett, acquired to push Jackson and Kele Ringo for a starting job, was tasked with adapting to new surroundings and learning a brand-new defense in short order. With only so many reps to share among the trio with the season fast approaching, his opportunities were limited, mostly relegated to preseason reps.

By the time the calendar flipped to September, Bennett was entrenched as a top reserve at corner but played sparingly in his first three games, registering 24 defensive snaps and another 20 on special teams. The acclimation process was further compounded when Bennett injured his pec in Week 1 while making a routine tackle.

He tried battling through the pain, which Bennett admitted made the injury “a little worse,” but further aggravated it late in the fourth quarter of the Rams game, necessitating an extended absence.

“I was telling everybody, these past two months were probably like the toughest months of my life, for real,” he said. “Being traded, that’s the business, but just kinda getting adjusted, to getting hurt … I don’t know, it felt like it was another thing after another thing. It was definitely tough, but I learned from it. I always have faith, I’m a firm believer in that. And I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. So, I’m gonna build on it, continue to be who I am, and just do everything I can to help the team win.”

Given his experience returning from shoulder injuries, Bennett identified similarities in the recovery process. Much of it centered on upper body work, along with merely allowing the pec time to heal. In terms of getting up to speed with regards to the on-field portion, Bennett focused on the physical demands of his role, like getting off blocks.

While there are many unknown variables, Bennett’s return should be viewed as a welcomed, and intriguing, addition. He’s young and athletic, boasting quality tape from his previous stop to boot. Still, as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will tell you, Bennett simply hasn’t played enough under his coach’s eye for Fangio to make an assessment with “definitive conviction.”

But the Eagles have toggled between Jackson and Ringo aligning opposite Mitchell, suggesting a path exists for Bennett to end the suspense and put his stamp on a starting role – or at least garner a longer look – as the Nov. 4 trade deadline looms large.

With the Eagles sitting at 5-2, and an impending bye week within reach, optimism is apparent, as help on the corner is on the way. And it could be the inclusion of Bennett that provides a spark to a hard-charging unit.

“For sure,” Bennett said. “I feel like they traded for me for a reason. So, if I can just go out there and be who I am and stay healthy, the sky is the limit.”

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