Earlier this week, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said his evaluation of cornerback Jakorian Bennett is “incomplete” because he just hasn’t seen him enough yet.
Bennett understands that.
“I agree with him,” Bennett said on Thursday. “I really haven’t been able to show everything I can do. It’s time for me to go out there and put on for a whole game and show him, show the players, the rest of the coaches, everybody, who I am. Show them that they didn’t bring me here for no reason.”
He might finally get that chance this weekend.
Earlier this week, the Eagles opened Bennett’s 21-day practice window from Injured Reserve. And after being limited on Wednesday with his pectoral injury, Bennett was a full participant on Thursday. With Jackson in the NFL’s concussion protocol and after watching Kelee Ringo struggle some this year, there’s a chance the Eagles turn to Bennett in Week 8 against the Giants.
If Bennett is going to play on Sunday, he’ll need to be activated to the 53-man roster by Saturday at 4 p.m.
Bennett, 25, spent the last month watching the Eagles play without him, knowing he was missing chances. Both Jackson and Ringo struggled at times and both got plenty of opportunities. Had Bennett not injured his pec, he would have probably already gotten a start or two.
“That was probably the toughest part,” Bennett said. “I got traded for a reason, to help the team win, to be a part of that. For me to just watch, that was really tough. You watch the game, you kind of visualize yourself making plays and doing whatever to help the team win. I’m competitive, I’m a team player and I’m just trying to go out there and help the guys.”
The Eagles acquired Bennett via trade in early August from the Raiders in an attempt to bolster their cornerback depth. He began the season as their top backup behind the veteran Jackson. While Bennett played some defensive snaps in the first three weeks of the season, he was still stuck behind Jackson.
And then after Week 3, Bennett landed on Injured Reserve when he aggravated a pectoral injury he suffered in the opener. Over the last month, he has rehabbed that pec with plenty of strength training and he’s feeling good.
“Feels good to be healthy, feels good to be back on the field and just play ball,” Bennett said on Thursday. “Tired of sitting around and healing up. But everything happens for a reason. Just trying to get better every day.”
Bennett was drafted by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2023 draft out of Maryland and played in 24 games with 11 starts with Las Vegas over the first two years of his career. But Bennett had slipped on their depth chart and the Raiders needed defensive tackle depth, so he came to Philly and Thomas Booker IV went to Vegas in the early-August trade.
Booker, 25, has played in all seven games for the Raiders and has started six. Bennett may finally get his opportunity to start a game this Sunday.
“He’s a strong, tough player,” Cooper DeJean said. “Can cover really well, really physical, which is great. I’m happy to see him back out there on the football field with us again. Obviously, he got here in the middle of training camp. It’s good to see him back out there and covering guys and doing what he does.”
Because Bennett arrived during training camp, he had to cram to learn Fangio’s defense but he caught up a long time ago. In fact, he said he was completely comfortable in the defense by the time Week 1 rolled around.
And even though he wasn’t starting those first three weeks, he played some snaps on defense in each of those early games — 24 in total — when Jackson had to leave with injuries. It wasn’t a ton of reps, but that experience was helpful.
“Just being out there and playing the calls and just being out there with the guys definitely gives you a sense of confidence,” Bennett said. “Ready to keep building on that for real.”
The Eagles’ cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell has been an issue all season and there’s some reason to hope that Bennett can be the answer. This Sunday’s game in the final Eagles game ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline. So it’s a chance for Bennett to prove himself before Eagles GM Howie Roseman has to make a decision about potentially bringing in another player.
Even though Bennett missed the last month, he still sees plenty of opportunity in front of him.
“A thousand percent,” Bennett said. “I’m a competitor and I know the type of player I am.”
He’s hoping to show Fangio and everyone else starting on Sunday.
