Back in August, the Eagles made a trade lauded as a shrewd, under-the-radar move — one that could shore up a major area of weakness for the defending Super Bowl champs.

But 79 days and seven games later, the grade for that trade? “Incomplete.”

That’s how Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio described his evaluation of cornerback Jakorian Bennett, who was acquired from the Raiders on Aug. 4.

Bennett was meant to bolster a soft spot in the Eagles’ secondary when Howie Roseman and the Eagles dealt defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV to Las Vegas for him.

But instead of pushing for Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo for snaps at CB2, Bennett has spent his time with the Eagles either acclimating to Fangio’s system or sidelined with an injury.

Bennett was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 25 with what he told reporters was a “pectoral” injury. Prior to that, he logged a total of 24 defensive snaps in three games.

“I just never felt like I had a good handle on what he is or what he isn’t,” Fangio said Tuesday afternoon when asked what Bennett has shown him so far with the Eagles. “I just don’t think he played enough to answer that with definitive conviction.”

But perhaps the 25-year-old’s chance to contribute — and give Fangio that definitive conviction he’s looking for — is just around the corner.

Bennett is eligible to return from IR this week, and his 21-day practice window could be opened Wednesday. So we should find out more in the coming days if Bennett can contribute as early as Sunday vs. the Giants.

And with Jackson’s status unclear after sustaining a concussion vs. the Vikings, getting Bennett back would be a boost.

“That will be determined by practice,” Fangio said. “You can’t practice when you’re on IR. So once we open up his window and get him on the practice field and see where he’s at, I can answer that better. Obviously, he’s a guy we’ll take a hard look at.”

Bennett, a 2023 fourth-round pick out of Maryland, came over from the Raiders with one year remaining on his rookie contract. So the Eagles aren’t beholden to a long-term commitment to Bennett. But in the short-term, he could provide relief to an area of concern.

Bennett was acquired amid Jackson and Ringo’s summer struggles at CB2, struggles that have continued throughout the season. Ringo and Jackson’s PFF coverage grades rank 97th and 101st, respectively, among 112 NFL cornerbacks with at least 75 coverage snaps.

The tape has been just as bad. Neither Ringo, a 2023 developmental draft pick, nor Jackson, a ninth-year vet, have played well enough to have a hold on the job opposite Quinyon Mitchell.

But maybe Bennett will. Maybe Bennett will come back from his injury and play up to the potential that Roseman and the Eagles saw back in August when they traded for him.

Last season in Las Vegas, quarterbacks targeting Bennett had just a 52.1 passer rating with him in coverage, according to PFF. Bennett allowed zero touchdowns and just 4.4 yards per attempt, and QBs completed only 45% of their passes in his direction. So there’s potential.

Bennett hasn’t made good on that yet with the Eagles. In three games, he has allowed six receptions for 50 yards on nine targets. But that’s an extremely small sample size.

What would Bennett do with a larger sample size? What would he do with more of an opportunity to help the Eagles’ defense?

We might find out as soon as Sunday.

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