12up Logo

3 Eagles Hurt the Most by Irregular NFL Offseason

By Scott Rogust

These three players on the Eagles will be hurt the most by the virtual offseason.
These three players on the Eagles will be hurt the most by the virtual offseason. / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The coronavirus pandemic has put professional sports on the back burner. Usually this time of year, NFL teams are running OTA's. But since no physical contact is allowed during the spread of COVID-19, team facilities are shut down and all meetings and workouts are being held virtually. All 32 teams are going to be affected by this, but no one will be hurt by this more than the Philadelphia Eagles.

These three players in particular are going to have a difficult time during this irregular NFL offseason.

3. Jalen Reagor, WR

Javon Hargrave is expected to be a starter in Philadelphia's offense. Being unable to practice on the field will limit his starting potential.
Javon Hargrave is expected to be a starter in Philadelphia's offense. Being unable to practice on the field will limit his starting potential. / John E. Moore III/Getty Images

The Eagles stunned the world on the very first night of the NFL Draft by selecting TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor with LSU's Justin Jefferson still on the board. But, that's in the past, as Reagor is officially an Eagle. Unfortunately, he won' be able to learn the offensive playbook and practice it on the field due to facility doors being shut indefinitely. Reagor is expected to be in the starting lineup by Week 1, but with the lack of the traditional OTA's, expect the rookie to be used as a situational pass catcher at the start of the season.

2. Javon Hargrave, DT

Javon Hargrave has to learn a whole new playbook.
Javon Hargrave has to learn a whole new playbook. / Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Philadelphia made the underrated signing of the offseason by nabbing Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Javon Hargrave to pair alongside Fletcher Cox. While they have the potential to be a terrifying duo in the interior of the defensive line, it could take awhile before they get clicking. Hargrave is moving on from Pittsburgh's 3-4 defense and moving to Jim Schwartz's 4-3 scheme. He's got the playbook, but he can't work on the plays with his line mates. It's unknown when training camp will kickoff, so Hargrave's production could be limited at the early goings of the regular season.

1. DeSean Jackson, WR

DeSean Jackson dealt with a season-ending core muscle injury last year.
DeSean Jackson dealt with a season-ending core muscle injury last year. / Rob Carr/Getty Images

Injured players are without a doubt the biggest victims of this virtual offseason. When thinking about Philadelphia's most important player coming off an injury last season, it's obviously DeSean Jackson. The Eagles acquired him last offseason in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the hopes of him being Carson Wentz's deep threat target. Unfortunately, his return campaign ended quickly due to a core muscle injury. Anyone who's dealt with that ailment knows the recovery is hell. Now that facilities are closed, Jackson won't have the luxury of rehabbing with the team and physically meeting with their personal doctors. Expect the Eagles to take things very easily with Jackson heading into the regular season, because they can't afford him to suffer another major injury.