It’s not like the Eagles’ defense was lights out even with Jalen Carter. They’ve had their moments, but going into Week 14 against the Chargers they’re 25thoverall, 24th against the run and 19th against the pass.

Now subtract a 2nd-team all-pro defensive tackle from the equation and the Eagles have quite a challenge in front of them.

Carter is out for Monday against the Chargers in Los Angeles and potentially longer after undergoing surgery on both shoulders.

“I think that you just try your best,” said Moro Ojomo, one of the defensive tackles whose reps will increase. “I think we’ve got a defense and a lot of guys that have more opportunities (now). And I think we’re just excited to have that opportunity. 

“Obviously a little sad for Jalen not to be there. I think he should get right and get his body feeling as good as possible. And we’re going to be ready when he comes back.”

Carter has clearly been hampered by the shoulder injuries, at least one of which dates back to before training camp.

Despite the injuries – and that nagging heel injury – he has two sacks, 11 quarterback hits, six pass deflections and four tackles for loss. 

“I think it’s always hard when you don’t feel 100 percent or (you’re) not healthy,” Ojomo said. “And I think that it’s most important to get your body right. This is a sport that wears and tears on you, so that was kind of the whole idea.”

The Eagles have four interior linemen on the active roster to work with in Carter’s absence: Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Byron Young and Ty Robinson.  

Carter has averaged 58 snaps per game, Ojomo 44, Davis 42 and Young 16. Robinson has played 35 snaps in five games and Gabe Hall, currently on the practice squad, has played 13 in two games.

“We’ve just got a lot of young, hungry guys,” said Young, who played a career-high 38 snaps against the Bears Friday. “We all believe in one another. The coaches believe in us. I think we can go out there and compete. We can play with anybody.

“Obviously (Jalen) is a great player, one of the best in the league, but everybody believes in everybody in the group and there’s going to be different players that have to step up.

“I’ll be one of them and we might have other guys that have to come along too. I’m always ready for it, man. It felt good. I’m ready to go again this week.”

The Eagles and Chargers, both 8-4, meet at 8:15 p.m. Monday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.

The Eagles haven’t put Carter on Injured Reserve, which means they’re hoping to have him back after two or three weeks. 

“You never want to have your guys missing time, but ultimately, I think it will be good for them to kind of deal with that now to kind of gear for the long run,” Jaelan Phillips said.

“And then in terms of guys stepping up and switching positions and doing different things, I think that we have all the guys that we need to step up to the task.”

The good news is the Eagles have had some practice playing without Carter. He missed the first Cowboys game after being ejected and missed the first Giants game with a heel injury. The bad news is that the first Giants game was the Eagles’ worst performance this year.

In the two games Carter missed, Ojomo averaged 59 snaps, Davis averaged 51 and Young averaged 30. In the 10 games he played, Ojomo averaged 41, Davis averaged 40 and Young averaged 13. 

That gives you an idea of what Monday night might look like, with the possibility Robinson could be in the mix as well.

Ojomo said playing two games without their Pro Bowl interior lineman will help the Eagles get through this next stretch without him.

“I mean, 100 percent,” Ojomo said. “And both times were kind of last-second things. Now we kind of have maybe more of a game plan, more of an idea going into it. So we’re more aware and ready to perform.”