Vic Fangio breaks down moving pieces in Eagles secondary

Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio broke down a lot of the moving pieces in the Eagles' secondary.

By Dave Zangaro • Published November 25, 2025

By the end of their 24-21 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday, the Eagles were down three defensive backs after Adoree’ Jackson, Reed Blankenship and Drew Mukuba all went down with injuries.

And now they face a short week.

During his Tuesday press conference, Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio answered a bunch of questions about the state of his secondary as the Eagles prepare to host the Chicago Bears on Friday afternoon:

• Blankenship suffered a thigh injury against the Cowboys and was unable to return. But Fangio when asked if he expects to have Blankenship back for the Bears game, said, "Yes, I do.” 

That’s obviously good news. Not only is Blankenship a solid starting safety but he also brings a sense of calm to the secondary that they’ll need with moving parts this week.

• Mukuba suffered a fractured ankle on Sunday and needs surgery. While the team is holding out some hope that the rookie safety might be able to return at some point this season, he’s going to land on IR and that’s a big loss.

"I think we talked about it last week,” Fangio said. "I think he’s been playing a lot better and avoiding the big negative plays and playing to his ability.”

• Without Mukuba, expect third-year safety Sydney Brown to start against the Bears on Friday. Brown spent most of training camp as a first-team safety and was even in the rotation to begin the season before completely losing the job to Mukuba.

When asked if Brown is the next man up after the injury to Mukuba, Fangio shook his head yes.

"I think he’s been doing a good job in practice with the reps that he does get,” Fangio said of Brown. "He’s done a good job staying in tune in the meetings and the walkthroughs and I’m excited to see how he does.”

• After Jackson left the game to be checked for a concussion, the Eagles didn’t replace him with Kelee Ringo. Instead, they played Cooper DeJean outside and replaced him at the nickel position with Michael Carter II.

"That’s what we felt was the next-best combination,” Fangio said.

DeJean in that game was targeted 6 times and gave up 5 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown. But Fangio didn’t seem too worried about having to play DeJean outside again. DeJean has played outside cornerback in the base package all year.

"He got beat a couple times,” Fangio said. "I thought his coverage was tight but at the catch point got beat. It’s going to happen some.”

• Fangio said "it’s possible” the Eagles go with that combination again in the Bears game if Jackson can’t go. That would mean a secondary that looks like this:

CB: Quinyon Mitchell
CB: Cooper DeJean
NCB: Michael Carter II
S: Reed Blankenship
S: Sydney Brown

It's worth noting that Jackson is not in concussion protocol and was listed as a full participant to start this week.

• The Eagles acquired Carter II from the Jets at the trade deadline but he had played just a handful of snaps before Sunday’s game. Carter against the Cowboys played 25 snaps. He has the ability top play nickel and safety and will need to be ready for both the rest of the way.

"I think he’s a good player,” Fangio said. "Good natural football player, understands the game, has got good instincts, has good technique to his game. He’s quick. We’re pleased to have him.”

• One of the forgotten players in the secondary is cornerback Jakorian Bennett, who was acquired in August from the Raiders. He hasn’t gotten many chances this season.

"He’s been getting some reps, doing pretty good,” Fangio said. "I don’t think we’re going to truly know until he gets out there and has to play.”

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/vic-fangio-secondary-cowboys-bears-reed-blankenship-sydney-brown-drew-mukuba-cooper-dejean-michael-carter/697307/

Yeah what is up with Jakorian Bennett?? I thought he would be back by now and playing.

10 hours ago, LacesOut said:

Yeah what is up with Jakorian Bennett?? I thought he would be back by now and playing.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of him from Vic. "He’s been getting some reps, doing pretty good.” Sheesh. Sounds like Bennett somehow got into Vic's doghouse.

And then he follows with this, "I don’t think we’re going to truly know until he gets out there and has to play.” Well YEAH no ish Sherlock.

^^^^^^^

Right. Get him out there to see if he can play. He's gotta be as good (or slightly better) than the current 23 CB2's on the roster.