PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles returned from their bye week facing a high-profile Monday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers — and working to bring several recently added defensive pieces up to speed before prime time.
The Birds acquired cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips ahead of the trade deadline, and head coach Nick Sirianni said Thursday that the coaching staff has long-established processes for integrating players into the building.
“We kind of have an orientation for that, just to catch them up on everything,” Sirianni said. “Our coaches do a good job of that. I spend time with them, my assistant (assistant to the head coach) Cole (Peterson) spends some time with them with the standards of how we practice.”
Phillips, who previously worked with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, profiles as a disruptive pass rusher who fits the Eagles’ front. Before injuries cut short his 2023 and 2024 seasons in Miami, Phillips consistently created pressure.
“Explosive player, able to get to the quarterback, violent in the run game, can create a lot of disruption,” Sirianni said. “Vic having familiarity with him is obviously big. It takes away some of that learning curve.”
Whether Phillips and the new corners are active Monday remains to be seen.
“We’ll see,” Sirianni said. “Everybody’s a little bit different. Having a Monday night game gives us more time to decide who’s up and who’s down.”
Phillips is thrilled to be here: “This is literally the greatest thing that’s happened to me in my whole life probably,” he said. “It’s just awesome. The guys are awesome. Everybody’s been super-welcoming. I love the environment here, I love the vibe here.
“The city of Philly has given me a very warm welcome. I got about 20 times the Instagram likes than I ever got on a post before, from Philly fans. Shoutout to y’all. It’s been great so far, getting out there practicing. I love the weather here. I love the locker room. Everything is awesome.”
Alexander is a former All-Pro whose role will depend on performance rather than résumé.
“We obviously think highly of the player that we have now,” Sirianni said. “You go to work, you practice, you see where he is and you see what it’s going to look like.”
Bye week review
Sirianni said the staff completed its normal midseason self-scout over the break. Part of that work has become something of a tradition at his home.
“Normal workday, just at my house. I think my dog was right at Kevin’s feet the whole time,” he joked, referring to offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. “If you pet him once, he doesn’t leave you alone.”
The review reinforced the basics.
“I think we’re doing a good job fundamentally — tackling, catching, taking care of the football,” Sirianni said. “But we’re not entitled to continue to get better without the work. Everything we have coming to us is earned.”
Preparing for Packers — and Lambeau
The Packers have a reshaped defense featuring Micah Parsons, who has continued to create havoc from multiple alignments after shifting from Dallas.
“He’s one of those guys that you have to game plan for,” left tackle Jordan Mailata said. “He’s a game-wrecker, so for us, it’s all about executing our plan up front — in the run game and the passing game. In the passing game is obviously where he’s done a lot of damage, where he can be a big threat. … We just have to try to make sure he doesn’t disrupt us.”
Weather may also influence Monday’s contest. Forecasts call for possible snow and wind at Lambeau Field — conditions historically favorable to the Eagles’ power run game. The Packers have been inconsistent running the ball this year and would prefer to rely on quarterback Jordan Love’s arm (if weather permits).
An NFL tragedy
Sirianni acknowledged the league-wide grief following the death of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who reportedly took his own life early Thursday morning.
“The NFL is a brotherhood,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the Dallas Cowboys. It just puts things in perspective.”
Anyone struggling with mental health issues is urged to seek help.
Practice report
In a positive development on the offensive line, second-year center/guard Willie Lampkin had his practice window opened this week after time on injured reserve.
DNP: C Cam Jurgens (knee). LIMITED: CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion), DT Moro Ojomo (concussion). FULL: RB Saquon Barkley (groin), CB Jakorian Bennett (pectoral), WR AJ Brown (hamstring), OLB Nolan Smith (triceps), G/C Lampkin (knee/ankle).
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.
https://www.mcall.com/2025/11/06/new-players-same-standards-for-eagles/
