CB Zech McPhearson torn Achilles - expected to miss 2023 season

[time2rock]

[time2rock]

Benjamin tweet above implies he is expected out 7-8 months but Zangaro (NBC Sports Philadelphia) is reporting he will miss the season:

 

Eagles cornerback suffers torn Achilles, will miss 2023 season

Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson tore his Achilles on Thursday night and will miss the 2023 NFL season

By Dave Zangaro

Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson tore his Achilles tendon on Thursday night and will miss the 2023 season, a league source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia.

McPhearson, 25, went down in the second quarter of the Eagles’ 18-18 tie against the Browns in the second preseason game. He was carted into the locker room and was ruled out quickly with an ankle injury.

The news of the Achilles tear was first reported by CBS Sports’ Cody J. Benjamin.

The Eagles drafted McPhearson out of Texas Tech in the fourth round back in 2021 and he has been a backup and special teams contributor during his first two NFL seasons. McPhearson actually led the Eagles in special teams snaps in 2022 with 362 (80%) and he became a vital gunner on the punt team. This injury comes a week after the Eagles lost another special teams ace, Shaun Bradley, for the year.

This spring and summer, the Eagles have mostly played McPhearson as a nickel cornerback but just this week moved him back to the outside. He played outside corner on Thursday night before suffering the injury.

As a draft pick in 2021, McPhearson was entering his third season in the NFL. He’s still under contract through the 2024 season.

With an IR trip coming for McPhearson, there might be a roster spot open for another young cornerback. We know the roster locks at the position are Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox and Kelee Ringo. But that means there’s probably one or two spots open.

Some of the players fighting for that spot or spots will be Mario Goodrich, Eli Ricks, Mekhi Garner and Josiah Scott. Goodrich might be the guy to watch. He has been working at nickel all summer and if the Eagles want a backup at that position, he might be their best bet. Although, Scott did hold that position last season.

https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/eagles-cornerback-suffers-torn-achilles-will-miss-2023-season/532931/

[Traveler Vic]

This Sucks. He was doing so well. It's a blow for our secondary.

[EagleTen]

16 minutes ago, Traveler Vic said:

This Sucks. He was doing so well. It's a blow for our secondary.

I watched the 1st half yesterday, and thought McPhearson looked out of his depth on the outside...I know it's only pre-season, but he always seemed to be hunting for the ball, and never quite sure where it was or which way to turn...The Browns certainly did target him a lot.

Maybe he picked up in the 2nd half, but I wasn't impressed with his 1st half performance...but it's a bummer nonetheless that he's done for the season...

[Kz!]

Yeah, the way he went down non-contact grabbing the back of his ankle, I thought for sure it was an achilles tear. I was surprised when they called it an "ankle" injury in the broadcast. I don't think it's a huge loss. I definitely prefer Jobe on the outside. Obviously it hurts the nickel corner depth, but I've never really been a huge fan of his anywhere. I read Bradberry was getting some run at nickel. Maybe (ha!) if Maddox goes down, we'll see Bradberry slide inside and Jobe starting on the outside.

[EaglesAddict]

Sucks.  But it does open the door for one of the young guys.  Jobe is definitely making the team as the 5th CB.  Question is, do they keep 6?  Wouldn't mind hanging onto Goodrich or Ricks to see if they can develop.  Roster juggling is always a challenge.

[PhillyPhreak24]

It was a rough start for him, but he played better as the game went on. Best of luck to him in his recovery.

[weko]

It's a shame for him.  He worked hard to improve.  Cleveland went after him hard from the first snap.  i don't remember them going at Jobe one time. McPh has been working in the slot which was a good decision as he isn't an NFL outside corner.  Hopefully he can heal and have a career inside.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Gutted for him! He was moving in to the slot and this felt like a huge year for him. 

[Procus]

5 hours ago, Traveler Vic said:

This Sucks. He was doing so well. It's a blow for our secondary.

Probably a bigger blow to the return teams.  Time for Howie to make an under the radar signing of a special teams ace - even if he has to overpay a tad.

[hukdonfoniks]

Goodrich might have just earned himself a job.  Out of all the guys fighting for that last corner spot, he's the best suited to play in the slot. 

Jobe and Ringo as the main backups to Slay and Bradberry, Goodrich behind Maddox.  Jobe could probably kick inside too but then you're juggling depth behind your starters.  Keeping Goodrich around gives them some options if need be.

I wonder if Howie wouldn't want some veteran depth though back there?  A lot of youth to develop but also a lack of actual on-field experience. 

[brkmsn]

I haven't re-watched the game, but I thought McPhearson was usually in pretty good position. There were just some well executed passes that connected with his opponent. Considering he spent virtually this whole camp time in the slot, this was really his first work on the outside this season. I think Cleveland was targeting him knowing that and becasue he's also a smaller cover guy than almost everybody else on the Eagles. 

I feel bad for him, but this does appear to open the door for us to keep one more CB prospect than expected. I figured McPhearson was a lock, so now he'll go to IR and we can keep 1 more guy to develop. Or this might mean that J. Scott sticks as the backup slot CB. I didn't expect Scott to make the final 53 before the injury. I know Scott had a few mistakes last season, but overall, I thought he filled in admirably for Maddox. Regardless, I hope Maddox has a healthy year for us, so it won't matter. 

[LacesOut]

Sucks for him.

But I can’t recall him doing anything of value for the Defense. So, next man up.

[Road to Victory]

2 hours ago, brkmsn said:

I haven't re-watched the game, but I thought McPhearson was usually in pretty good position. There were just some well executed passes that connected with his opponent. Considering he spent virtually this whole camp time in the slot, this was really his first work on the outside this season. I think Cleveland was targeting him knowing that and becasue he's also a smaller cover guy than almost everybody else on the Eagles. 

I feel bad for him, but this does appear to open the door for us to keep one more CB prospect than expected. I figured McPhearson was a lock, so now he'll go to IR and we can keep 1 more guy to develop. Or this might mean that J. Scott sticks as the backup slot CB. I didn't expect Scott to make the final 53 before the injury. I know Scott had a few mistakes last season, but overall, I thought he filled in admirably for Maddox. Regardless, I hope Maddox has a healthy year for us, so it won't matter. 

You must’ve missed the Dallas game. Scott got annihilated by CD Lamb. 

[opa-opa]

Ive been saying this season is gonna be the opposite of last year....karma is coming back to bite us

[brkmsn]

1 hour ago, Road to Victory said:

You must’ve missed the Dallas game. Scott got annihilated by CD Lamb. 

Do you mean to tell me that our 5th CB last season was on the losing end of a matchup with another team's best offensive player? Who could have predicted that?

[Road to Victory]

43 minutes ago, brkmsn said:

Do you mean to tell me that our 5th CB last season was on the losing end of a matchup with another team's best offensive player? Who could have predicted that?

It wasn’t just the losing end. He made CD Lamb look like Jerry Rice. 

[EazyEaglez]

Tough news. The kid was having a good camp and seemed to really catch on in the slot. The Eagles last season seemed to mostly be injury free, but now they have already lost two guys to IR before the season even started. It’s understandable why they don’t put much stock into these meaningless games. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

2 hours ago, EazyEaglez said:

Tough news. The kid was having a good camp and seemed to really catch on in the slot. The Eagles last season seemed to mostly be injury free, but now they have already lost two guys to IR before the season even started. It’s understandable why they don’t put much stock into these meaningless games. 

Yeah you can absolutely see it and understand it! I think it’s fair to say the debate around starting your stars is over! Hurts shouldn’t see a single snap.

[20dawk4life]

Sucks but he’s done nothing to impress. 

[Traveler Vic]

6 hours ago, EazyEaglez said:

Tough news. The kid was having a good camp and seemed to really catch on in the slot. The Eagles last season seemed to mostly be injury free, but now they have already lost two guys to IR before the season even started. It’s understandable why they don’t put much stock into these meaningless games. 

The games do not count, but they are not meaningless. It sucks to be on the losing end of injury bug.

[jsb235]

I think Goodrich and McPhearson are pretty similar players. Both play special teams and seem best suited to the slot. So while I feel terrible for McPhearson personally, from a team standpoint i don't think it's a big deal. 

[PoconoDon]

I hope he's healed at 100% for next year.

[Bwestbrook36]

21 minutes ago, PoconoDon said:

I hope he's healed at 100% for next year.

If he is on the team, he just got put on waivers

[brkmsn]

39 minutes ago, Bwestbrook36 said:

If he is on the team, he just got put on waivers

That's surprising. It seems like they would have just moved him to IR if they expected him to make the team this year. The final CB spot(s) competition must really be close. Ringo is safe because of his draft status and Ricks has flashed in preseason. Garner supposedly flashed in camp and has made a couple ST plays in preseason. Goodrich has had some nice moments.