Eagles HC Nick Sirianni explains gameplan for Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter is the real deal. Carter has logged 15 total pressures on the season, which is tied for second among all defensive tackles–even more than Aaron Donald. On top of that, Carter has 1.5 sacks, five combined tackles, two tackles for loss, two QB hits and 2 forced fumbles, all […]
Philadelphia Eagles rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter is the real deal.
Carter has logged 15 total pressures on the season, which is tied for second among all defensive tackles–even more than Aaron Donald.
On top of that, Carter has 1.5 sacks, five combined tackles, two tackles for loss, two QB hits and 2 forced fumbles, all while playing less than 50 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
It is a bit puzzling as to why the Eagles don't play him more if he's fully healthy and performing well above his rookie expectations, not to mention playing better than a six-time Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox.
However, head coach Nick Sirianni has a plan to preserve Carter for the season.
"It is, it’s a long season," Sirianni said during Wednesday's press conference. "Especially at that position you want to rotate guys to keep coming at the offense with waves. We’re very fortunate that when you take one guy out, the other guy is a really good player, too.
"Again, it is, it’s a long season. We want to come at them in waves. Obviously, Jalen is playing good football right now. We want him to get the snaps he’s getting. I don’t know exactly the percentages broken down, but I know he’s getting quite a bit for the defensive tackles."
Cox has played 68 percent (126), while Jordan Davis and Milton Williams have each played 39 percent (73). Backups Marlon Tuipulotu and Kentavius Street have also played a few snaps.
Sure, being able to switch up the rotation keeps the opposing offense on their toes, but Carter has proven to be a different kind of beast out there, so seeing him play just 48 percent (89) of the snaps through three games is extremely disappointing.
"So, they’re all rotating, right? But again, long season, and we want to come at them in waves, so that’s — maybe does that move up as we continue? Yeah, it could. But he’s playing good football right now," Sirianni added.
Hopefully, we see a spike in his usage sooner, rather than later down the road.
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