The latest new from around the division.
Eagles Release Veteran Linebacker, Opening A Roster Spot – Ed Kracz, Sports Illustrated
Philadelphia made some roster moves during their bye week, including the release of LB Devin White.
It turned out, the Eagles didn’t need Devin White, after all.
The team and linebacker agreed on Tuesday to be released now, rather than waiting until after the trade deadline so he is not subject to waivers. White is free to sign with any team now. In exchange, a source said the agreement could provide financial savings for the Eagles.
The move opens a spot on the 53-man roster. Earlier in the week, they opened the 21-day practice window for safety Sydney Brown, who was on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and receiver Ainais Smith, who was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return when the Eagles trimmed their initial roster to 53 players at the end of August.
It is expected that Brown will take White’s spot and the Eagles will take a longer approach on Smith, though that could change if A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith continue to miss time coming out of the bye.
That isn’t excpected, however, with Brown appearing to have recovered from the hamstring injury that kept him out of three games and Smith possibly having advanced through concussion protocol.
The Eagles (2-2) will return to practice on Wednesday as they prepare to host the Cleveland Browns (1-4) on Sunday in what will be just the team’s second home game of the season.
As for White, he signed a one-year contract early in free agency for $3.5 million. After getting the majority of first-team reps during training camp, it appeared he was on track to be a starter this season.
Inside the Numbers: Darius Slayton-Daniel Jones connection – Michael Eisen, Giants.com
Jones does enjoy throwing to more than just Malik Nabers.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Daniel Jones’ favorite target was unavailable Sunday in Seattle, so the Giants quarterback smartly and predictably turned to his favorite longtime partner to propel the passing attack in their 29-20 victory against the Seahawks.
The Giants played for the first time this season without rookie sensation Malik Nabers, who was both in New Jersey and the NFL concussion protocol. As he led the NFL in both targets (52) and receptions (35) entering the game, his absence left a large void in the passing game.
Darius Slayton stepped in to fill it.
Jones threw 11 passes to Slayton, who caught eight of them for 122 yards – he had 122 total yards in the first four games – including a 30-yard touchdown. It was the latest episode in their continuing partnership.
In their six seasons together, Slayton has more receptions (181) for more yards (2,595) and more touchdowns (12) than any of the other 52 receivers who have caught at least one pass from Jones. And no one else is particularly close.
Slayton’s eight catches were tied for the second-highest total of his career. He also caught eight passes vs Dallas on Oct. 11, 2020. Slayton’s career best of 10 receptions was set in his rookie season vs. the Jets on Nov. 10, 2019.
Slayton’s 122 yards is the third-highest total of his career and the most he’s had since gaining 129 yards vs. the Cowboys on Oct. 11, 2020.
His touchdown catch was the 20th of his career.
It was Slayton’s sixth career 100-yard game and the first in a Giants victory.
LBs Wagner, Luvu helping fuel Washington’s defensive resurgence – Zach Selby, Commanders.com
Despite a rocky start, the Commanders defense seems to be on the upswing.
Deshaun Watson was surrounded by burgundy and gold as he tried to search for an escape route on second-and-1. He was about to be sacked, one of seven for the Washington Commanders in Week 5, and it was Bobby Wagner’s turn to bring him down.
Wagner, who was in coverage on the play, saw his chance and began sprinting towards Watson. The quarterback tried to run in the other direction but was too late; the Hall of Fame linebacker slammed him to the ground, but not before the ball popped from his grasp and right into the hands of Frankie Luvu.
“I should have scored on that,” Luvu said of the recovery and five-yard return after the Commanders’ 34-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. “Anyways, we knew on film that Deshaun likes to escape in the b-gaps, so when I was coming around the edge, I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going past him,’ so, I kind of countered back.”
Washington’s defense, which was ranked 29th in the NFL heading into Week 4, has seemed to turn a corner over the past two weeks, and the duo of Wagner and Luvu are at the core of that resurgence. Wagner’s experience has been a complement to Luvu’s unique athleticism, and the combination of those traits has produced one the better linebacker groups in the league.
So, what exactly does the combination of Luvu and Wagner bring to the Commanders’ defense?
“It’s a little bit of the yin and yang with Bobby and him,” said coach Dan Quinn. “But I felt both of them in the blitz package quite honestly yesterday and making their impact felt.”
