As the Eagles got back on the field Monday for their first padded practice of training camp, they were without half of their starting defensive line.
Derek Barnett was listed as week to week with a lower body injury and Javon Hargrave was listed as out multiple weeks with an upper body injury.
Now we know more.
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On Monday night, ESPN first reported that Hargrave has a pec strain he suffered while working out. But now we know more about both of them.
Barnett and Hargrave have “a realistic shot” at being ready for the regular season opener on Sept. 13, according to NFL Network.
That’s good news, but it’s not definite. And even if one or both are ready for the opener, it’s fair to wonder if they’ll be 100 percent by then. An added wrinkle with Hargrave is that he’s new with the Eagles and still learning the defense after the Eagles signed him to a high-priced three-year deal during free agency. Hargrave is switching from Pittsburgh’s 3-4 scheme to the Eagles’ attacking 4-3 front.
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Barnett, meanwhile, is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Birds. Even though the Eagles picked up his fifth-year option for 2021, that’s guaranteed for injury only if he suffers something serious. Otherwise, that’s a non-guaranteed deal the Eagles don’t have to honor. So this is a really important season for Barnett and he’s already starting it with another injury.
On Monday, Malik Jackson and Vinny Curry/Josh Sweat replaced Hargrave and Barnett with the first-team defense. The Eagles just brought back Curry recently for more depth at defensive end. And at defensive tackle, the Eagles have Jackson, Hassan Ridgeway, Anthony Rush and rookie Raequan Williams.