Eagles Young CB Ready for ‘Interview’

PHILADELPHIA. Isaiah Rodgers is on track to make his first start for the Eagles on Sunday against Jacksonville after starter Darius Slay missed his second straight practice Thursday with a groin injury suffered in Philadelphia’s win over Cincinnati with 37-17 last Sunday.

Rodgers lined up for the Slay against the Bengals and came up with a signature play, moving Bengals superstar Ja’Marr Chase down the field for a rush and flipping Joe Burrow’s punt right into the arms of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for an interception.

“It was a great game by Isaiah against a really good receiver and a really good defender,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “He got his hands on the ball. He didn’t panic. A lot of times guys panic when the ball’s in the air like that on a deep ball. He didn’t panic. He got his hands on it. Luckily, Chauncey was there to get the lollipop.” .

“Just one of those moments,” Rodgers said of his highlight-reel performance. “We had the lead and they did what they had to do to get back into the game. Ja’Marr is one of the best receivers in the league, so you had to know the ball was going to come to him at some point. It was one of those things where I said, ‘If it’s up to you, you have to play.’ That’s what I did.”

It was just the third interception of the season for the Eagles and the first by someone other than Reid Blankenship.

“It was cool for me that (CJGJ) got it because I was telling him, ‘Somebody’s got to get it because the average hasn’t been around (for a long time).’ I don’t really care if it was me or not,” Rodgers said. “At the end of the day, we’ve got to find a way to get a turnover.”

Rodgers may get his opportunity against a struggling Jags team that will be without Christian Kirk and potentially star rookies Brian Thomas and Gabe Davis, three of Trevor Lawrence’s top targets.

“Just prepare, whether you’re fifth on the depth chart or sixth on the depth chart, like you’re the starter and be ready if something happens,” Rodgers said of his approach. “It’s the NFL, injuries happen, guys get tired and get benched, so you never know when your time is going to come. You have to be ready.”

The Eagles bought Rodgers on the cheap, signing the talented young cornerback to a one-year deal shortly after he was suspended for the 2023 season for violating the league’s gambling policy, and every opportunity he gets could boost his stock after the season.

However, Rodgers wants to remain loyal to the organization that took a chance on him when he was at his lowest.

“At the end of the day, you want to tape everything because it’s an interview. But I think I’m focused here (on helping the team)… I want to play a lot here so I can stay here. ”

On Sunday, the “interview” may become more serious.

“I approach it like any other week,” Rodgers said. “I’m not going to make this moment too big. It’s not about me, it’s about the team. After all, Slay is our captain, Slay is our starter. I’m just going to go out there and try to make as many plays as he made.”

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