Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow, who was listed as questionable due to an abdomen injury, was seen working out under the supervision of Ted Rath with Howie Roseman observing. Despite the workout, Morrow was among the inactives for the Eagles' game against the New York Giants. The Eagles' defense, which has been struggling and is in its second game under Matt Patricia, faced the Giants without starting linebackers Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow. With Morrow's absence, the Eagles had only three healthy off-ball linebackers available: Shaq Leonard, Ben VanSumeren, and Brandon Smith. Shaq Leonard, who signed with the team on December 4th, was the only active Eagles linebacker who had played a defensive snap this season and was assigned the green dot for on-field communication. Ben VanSumeren, a former practice squad player, made his first NFL start and took his first defensive snap, while the team was also expected to employ three-safety looks with Sydney Brown joining safeties Kevin Byard and Reed Blankenship.
Bradberry at left corner and Ringo at RG. Leonard and BVS at LB #Eagles
Ben VanSumeren officially gets his first NFL start for the Eagles at LB.
Eagles open in a heavy nickel with Sydney Brown as the third safety. Two LBs — Shaq Leonard and Ben VanSumeren. (Side note: Can VanSumeren reach "BVS" level at this point?)
ILB Ben VanSumeren is starting alongside Shaq Leonard as the Eagles defense takes the field. VanSumeren's first defensive snap.
Shaq Leonard is the only active Eagles LB who has played a defensive snap this season. Expect to see a lot of three-safety looks, with Sydney Brown joining Kevin Byard and Reed Blankenship.
A struggling Eagles defense entering its second game under Matt Patricia must face the Giants without starting linebackers Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow. Shaq Leonard is in line to play "Will." VanSumeren, a former practice squad player, has yet to log a defensive snap.
Eagles LB Nicholas Morrow among the inactives vs. Giants. https://t.co/J2KUhfXNM9
No Morrow and Cunningham so #Eagles LBs today are Shaq Leonard, Ben VanSumeren and PS elevation Brandon Smith. Expect a lot of three-safety looks. Leonard gets the green dot after signing on Dec. 4 https://t.co/q4KrsL7wbG
The Eagles' linebackers today: Shaq Leonard, Ben VanSumeren, Brandon Smith. None of them were on the active roster when the Eagles last won a game.
With Nicholas Morrow inactive, the Eagles have 3 healthy off-ball linebackers for the Giants game: Shaq Leonard, Ben VanSumeren, Brandon Smith https://t.co/tL6dnm3gPV
Nicholas Morrow is going through some workouts with Ted Rath right now. He is listed as questionable to play with an abdomen injury. Howie Roseman (bottom right, orange sneakers) watches on. https://t.co/zzQJ2RBnSI
Eagles LB Nicholas Morrow (questionable, abdomen) working out with Howie (snazzy sneaks) looking on. https://t.co/FOaiHzGHFx
Nicholas Morrow (abdomen) testing out injury under the eye of Ted Rath. The #Eagles LB was listed as questionable coming into today’s game vs. the Giants: https://t.co/BpbSRiklCN