PHILADELPHIA — Each week, the biggest question facing the Eagles’ defense is who will start at cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
Ninth-year veteran Adoree’ Jackson has started four games, while third-year cornerback Kelee Ringo has started three. Neither player has seized the starting job. Both players have struggled in coverage and run defense, and if the Eagles had a better option, they would be permanently benched.
Heading into the Eagles’ Week 8 matchup against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field, it’s once again unclear who will start.
Jackson suffered a concussion in the Eagles’ Week 7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings and missed the last two practices. There’s a strong chance Jackson won’t be ready to play Sunday, and if that’s the case, Ringo might get one last shot to start. After his rough Week 6 performance against the New York Giants, Ringo was benched for Jackson.
“Being the best version of myself when my name is called,” Ringo told NJ Advance Media Wednesday about his goals moving forward. “Just personally, when I look in the mirror, there’s certain times where I haven’t played to the best of my ability.”
“But, man, I know who I am as a player and as a man, and I know I’m more than capable of being a great player in this league.”
It’s encouraging that Ringo remains confident after losing the starting job multiple times — in training camp and again after Week 6 — and maybe he’s right that he’ll develop into a good starter one day. But he isn’t one right now, and he’s unlikely to become one this season.
Jackson’s play has slipped to a backup level the last two years.
The Eagles aren’t in a good spot, still searching for a No. 2 cornerback seven games into the season. General manager Howie Roseman could look to acquire help before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, or perhaps training camp addition Jakorian Bennett could emerge as the answer.
The former Raiders CB spent the first three weeks of the season as a backup, then went on injured reserve before Week 4 with a pectoral injury. Bennett’s 21-day practice window opened on Tuesday, and soon he could enter the cornerback rotation with Ringo and Jackson.
“Just grateful, bro,” Bennett told NJ Advance about his emotions coming back from injury. “Just been on a little journey. From getting traded to getting injured, getting on IR. You don’t realize how blessed you are until you don’t have it any more. So I’m just taking this opportunity to just be who I am, man, just get better each and every day.”
Bennett also missed seven games in 2024 with a shoulder injury, making this latest setback even more difficult.
“Really just have faith and just stay strong through that tough time,” Bennett said. ”I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.”
On Tuesday, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he will take a “hard look at” Bennett during practice, but Fangio is unsure if he can start.
“Yeah, incomplete,” Fangio said about his evaluation of Bennett. “I just never felt like I had a good handle on what he is and what he isn’t. I just don’t think he played enough to answer that with definitive conviction.”
Fangio expressed more confidence in Ringo and Jackson, but his answer was still lukewarm.
“Yeah, I thought Adoree was doing fine and Kelee did fine when he was in there,” Fangio said about their performances against the Vikings. “(Kelee) got hit, but some of the completions he’s given up. Not all of them, but some of them have come on tough routes. So, I still think he can eventually be better than he’s been. His opportunities will keep coming, probably, and hopefully he’ll turn the corner.”
Ringo said he needs to be more “sticky in coverage”, more “destructive at the catch point,” play with better leverage and have a stronger understanding of his assignments.
“I know everybody’s big, fast, and strong in this league, everybody’s smart, too,” Ringo said. “I just want to continue to stay focused and make sure my technique is the right way in any given situation, then my athletic ability can take over.”
On the Giants’ opening drive in Week 6, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey outmuscled Ringo for a 34-yard contested catch that set up a 20-yard touchdown run by rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. On the next possession, slot wideout Wan’Dale Robinson beat Ringo for a 26-yard gain, slipping to the turf mid-play, then getting back up and running for extra yards after Ringo failed to touch him down.
Ringo’s struggles continued, surrendering a key third-down catch to Humphrey on New York’s final touchdown drive of the first half. In the fourth quarter, he drew a pass interference penalty on Jalin Hyatt in the end zone, setting up a one-yard, game-clinching touchdown by rookie running back Cam Skattebo.
Ringo looks forward to potentially getting another start against the Giants, viewing it as an opportunity to get revenge and improve his standing on defense.
“Man, go out there and seize the moment,” Ringo said. “It’s not a secret. We got a job to do, and we didn’t have the best outing the last time we saw them. We got a chip on our shoulder for sure.”
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