Jordan Davis - Pro Football Rumors

Eagles Activate DT Jordan Davis From IR

December 3rd, 2022 at 5:59pm CST by Ely Allen

Philadelphia announced today that it will be activating first-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis off of injured reserve following a four-week stint off the active roster. In a corresponding move, the Eagles placed safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on IR.

Davis started off his rookie season coming off the bench behind Eagles starting defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Philadelphia couldn’t keep the No. 13 overall pick off the field, though, and soon began starting all three players each game.

In Davis’s absence, the Eagles turned to Marlon Tuipulotu until he found his way to the IR, as well, with a torn meniscus. The team then turned to Linval Joseph after signing him and fellow veteran Ndamukong Suh in consecutive days. It’s reasonable to expect Davis to return to the starting lineup alongside Cox and Hargrave in his return, returning Joseph to backup duties with Suh. It’s speculative, but Davis returning as soon as he is eligible could be a strong sign that he is completely ready to return with no lingering effects from the high ankle sprain that landed him on IR in the first place.

Following news that Gardner-Johnson, the team’s starting safety, would be out indefinitely with a lacerated kidney, his placement on IR doesn’t come as much of a surprise. If he can make a speedy recovery, Gardner-Johnson should be eligible to return in time for the final two games of the regular season and a likely Eagles postseason run.

The league’s interceptions-leader will likely be replaced by undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee Reed Blankenship. Although it seems like a big downgrade on paper, Blankenship showed his potential almost immediately, intercepting Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shortly after coming into last week’s game to replace Gardner-Johnson.

In addition to the two IR transactions, the Eagles have also promoted linebacker Christian Elliss from the practice squad as a standard gameday elevation for this week’s matchup against the Titans.

Eagles Designate DT Jordan Davis For Return

November 30th, 2022 at 9:39am CST by Sam Robinson

As most teams begin their Week 13 practices Wednesday, IR management re-enters the equation. The Eagles are moving forward with one of their hopeful returns, opening Jordan Davis‘ practice window.

Philadelphia designated the rookie defensive tackle for return Wednesday morning. Davis has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 8. This week marks the first window in which the Eagles could use this return designation, generating optimism the athletic run-stuffer could be back when first eligible.

The Eagles have changed their D-tackle equation since Davis last played, venturing into free agency at an unusual point for such transactions. Davis will join Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph at Philly’s practice today. The veteran duo joined the team after the Eagles had struggled against the run without Davis. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles deploy their defensive tackles going forward, given the presences of Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.

Although Davis’ 154 defensive snaps do not meet Pro Football Focus’ minimum for full-time status, the advanced metrics site rates the Georgia product as a top-10 run defender among D-tackles this season. The Texans and Commanders’ rushing performances made Davis’ absence glaring. Having the 6-foot-6, 340-pound lineman back could provide a significant boost for the team with the NFL’s best record (10-1).

Philly is in good shape for injury activations, holding six at its disposal. Considering the investment the team made in Davis this year, one of those activations will undoubtedly be used on him. He of a 4.78-second 40-yard dash time at the Combine, Davis wowed teams and convinced an Eagles team big on line investments to invest the No. 13 overall pick in a D-lineman who does not factor in — production-wise, at least — as a pass rusher much. Davis made a massive impact during Georgia’s national championship run last season and figures to both improve the Eagles’ run-defending capabilities and give the team’s pass rushers more favorable matchups upon return.

Eagles Expect TE Dallas Goedert, DT Jordan Davis To Return In Regular Season

November 20th, 2022 at 1:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles have been dealt notable blows on each side of the ball recently, but they are in line to get both tight end Dallas Goedert and defensive tackle Jordan Davis back before the postseason begins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Eagles expect both players to be activated later in the regular season.

Goedert is dealing with a shoulder injury which was immediately understood to cost him significant time. He was placed on IR last week, guaranteeing at least a four-game absence. As a source confirmed to Schefter, however, the 27-year-old is widely believed to be on track to return with anywhere between two and four weeks left in the regular season.

That will be welcomed news for Philadelphia, of course, given Goedert’s importance to the their offense. He ranks second on the team in receiving yards with 544, making him an effective compliment in the middle of the field to blockbuster trade acquisition A.J. Brown. At the time the injury was reported, it was indicated that Goedert could be healthy before the postseason begins, so a December return would come as little surprise.

The same holds true for Davis, who has shouldered a much smaller workload during his rookie campaign but still shown plenty of potential when on the field. The first-rounder suffered an ankle sprain which will leave him on IR for at least one more week. The Eagles feel he has a “realistic chance” to be activated in time for their Week 13 game against the Titans, per Schefter. That will provide a major boost to a defensive front which has allowed 320 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns in Davis’ absence during the past two weeks.

The Eagles currently have six IR activations remaining, though one of those will likely go to Janarius Robinson as he was designated to return last week. A healthy Goedert and Davis could go a long way in determining Philadelphia’s playoff positioning, given how tight the NFC East is likely to remain throughout the remainder of the season.

Eagles Place DT Jordan Davis On IR

November 2nd, 2022 at 3:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jordan Davis‘ high ankle sprain will pause a strong start to his career. The Eagles will give the first-round pick extensive time to recover, placing him on IR ahead of their Thursday-night Texans matchup.

Davis must miss that game and Philadelphia’s next three because of this roster move. The Eagles are still in good shape, injury activation-wise, having only used one of their allotted eight thus far this season. Davis will undoubtedly be one of Philly’s injury activations later this season, as he has thrived in a part-time role for the unbeaten team.

Pro Football Focus grades Davis as a top-10 interior defender through seven games, slotting his work against the run as among the best in the NFL. Davis, 22, moved into Philly’s starting lineup in Week 3 and has helped Jonathan Gannon‘s defense take another step. The Eagles, who ranked 18th in points allowed last season, sit third. They are also third in total defense, with the Georgia-developed size-speed freak helping the cause.

This year’s No. 13 overall pick, Davis has yet to play more than half of the team’s defensive snaps in a game. But he has made a major impact. Running a 4.78-second 40-yard dash despite a 340-plus-pound frame, Davis has teamed with Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave to form one of the NFL’s top defensive tackle trios in many years.

Having already had their bye, the Eagles face Houston, Washington, Indianapolis and Green Bay over the next four weeks. The team will likely be patient with Davis, given what he means to its future up front. But the standout rookie should be expected to return at some point during the final stretch of an Eagles home-field advantage push.

Eagles’ First-Round Rookie DT Jordan Davis Sprains Ankle

October 30th, 2022 at 6:10pm CST by Ely Allen

Not much has gone wrong for the Eagles this year as they’ve cruised their way to an undefeated 7-0 start to the season. Injuries affect every team, though, and one showed up in Philadelphia today as rookie first-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis left today’s game with a high ankle sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The 13th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft has been a rotational contributor this year for the NFC East leaders. Despite becoming a consistent starter since Week 3 of the season, Davis has yet to play more than half of the team’s defensive snaps in a single game. Still, he’s been impressive in his limited time grading out as the league’s 9th best defensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), thanks to a really good run defense grade and a better than average pass rush grade.

Through seven games this year, Davis has recorded 12 total tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, and 1 pass defensed. Obviously, as a defensive tackle, Davis isn’t lighting up the stat sheet, but he’s been an impactful rookie, making his presence felt in other ways.

If the Eagles are forced to miss Davis for an extended period, they’ll likely roll forward with a top-two of Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Back up linemen Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu have been rotating in like Davis, but, with Davis out, they will likely be asked to step up for a few more snaps each game.

High ankle sprains typically have a recovery period of four to six weeks. The severity of Davis’s injury has yet to be determined, but he is expected to undergo an MRI tomorrow morning.

NFC East Notes: Giants, Eagles, Clark

June 23rd, 2022 at 10:21am CST by Sam Robinson

Participation among key Giants receivers was light during this year’s offseason. Sterling Shepard continues to close out his Achilles rehab, while Kadarius Toney missed time because of a new injury. Kenny Golladay was also limited during the team’s spring workouts. This could point to Darius Slayton being retained as an insurance policy of sorts, but the fourth-year wideout does not seem to be a favorite of the new regime, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com offers. Slayton buzz this offseason continues to point to a departure, and Raanan does not have the former fifth-rounder making the team. The Giants shopped the two-time 700-yard receiver ahead of the draft and took Kentucky’s Wan’Dale Robinson in Round 2, further crowding their receiving corps. Due to a proven performance escalator, Slayton’s rookie contract finishes up with a $2.5MM 2022 salary.

Here is the NFC East’s latest:

Haason Reddick‘s potential role as an outside linebacker who moves to defensive end on passing downs in a 4-3 scheme reminded of Von Miller‘s in his initial Broncos seasons. But the Eagles may no longer be keen on keeping their highly paid edge rusher in the garage. They are leaning toward more 3-4 sets this season, Tim McManus of ESPN.com notes. This would allow Reddick, who turned his career around after the Cardinals gave him a chance as a pure edge player in 2020, the opportunity to rush on most plays. The former first-round pick has accumulated 23.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
The Eagles have a formidable-looking defensive tackle crew, having drafted Jordan Davis to pair with Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Despite Davis’ massive frame, McManus adds the Eagles believe he can be a three-down player. Nose tackles often come off the field on passing downs, making the use of a top-15 pick on one questionable. While Davis might not be ticketed for an immediate three-down role, given the veterans that headline his Philly position group, the Georgia-developed size-speed freak will have that chance as a pro.
Cowboys rookie linebacker Damone Clark is not expected to suit up anytime soon. The fifth-round pick underwent spinal fusion surgery in March, per The Athletic’s Jon Machota, and may miss the season. Even if Clarke suits up, Machota adds the Cowboys are not expecting that to happen until late in the season (subscription required). Clark recorded 135 tackles and 5.5 sacks during his final LSU season and will rejoin ex-Tigers teammate Jabril Cox as part of Dallas’ linebacking corps.
Although Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson went first and second overall, Giants DC Don Martindale and outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins viewed Kayvon Thibodeaux as this draft’s best edge prospect, Raanan notes. Lofty draft-board proclamations often emerge after teams make their picks, but the Giants did select a player who exited 2021 atop many mock drafts. The team plans on using Thibodeaux as an inside pass rusher as well, Raanan adds. Big Blue has enjoyed success with edge rushers moving inside, but it has been a while since Justin Tuck and Co. thrived in the Big Apple.

Eagles Sign First-Round DT Jordan Davis

May 5th, 2022 at 6:49pm CST by Ben Levine

Another first-round pick has signed their rookie contract. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter), the Eagles have signed defensive tackle Jordan Davis to his rookie deal. It’s a four-year pact that includes $17MM in guaranteed money.

The Eagles traded up two selections in order to select the Georgia product with the No. 13 pick. Davis was a mainstay on the Bulldogs’ defense during his four seasons in college. Playing in a run-stopping role, the six-foot-six, 340 pounder totaled seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Those numbers, along with eye-popping athletic testing at the combine, leave the door open to his development as a three-down player.

At the moment, Davis will be joining a depth chart that’s led by veteran Fletcher Cox. The 31-year-old was cut and re-signed by the Eagles earlier this offseason, but his one-year pact means he may not be sticking around Philadelphia long term.

Davis wasn’t the only Eagles rookie to ink his rookie contract today. According to Doug Kyed of ProFootballFocus.com (on Twitter), the Eagles also signed Kansas linebacker Kyron Johnson (round 6, No. 181) and SMU tight end Grant Calcaterra (round 6, No. 198).

Eagles Acquire No. 13, Take Georgia DL Jordan Davis

April 28th, 2022 at 8:41pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ve got another trade, and it involves one of the teams most active in trade talks. The Eagles have acquired No. 13 from the Texans and selected Georgia DL Jordan Davis.

The Texans received a handful of picks from Philly in the trade. The Eagles sent picks No. 15, No. 124, No. 162, and No. 166 to Houston.

Davis was a mainstay on the Bulldogs’ defense during his four seasons with Georgia. Playing in a run-stopping role, the six-foot-six, 340 pounder totaled seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Those numbers, along with eye-popping athletic testing at the combine, leave the door open to his development as a three-down player.

Davis had pre-draft visits with a number of teams, including the Ravens and Eagles. Philly may have been scared that Baltimore would snag the defensive tackle at No. 14, leading to the trade with the Texans.

At the moment, Davis will be joining a depth chart that’s led by veteran Fletcher Cox. The 31-year-old was cut and re-signed by the Eagles earlier this offseason, but his one-year pact means he may not be sticking around Philadelphia long term. Today’s move certainly reinforces that sentiment.

NFC Draft Notes: Giants, Lions, Falcons, Vikings, Eagles

April 26th, 2022 at 9:24pm CST by Ben Levine

We took a look at draft notes out of the AFC earlier this evening. In anticipation of Thursday’s draft, let’s pivot to the NFC:

The Giants are currently sitting with picks No. 5 and No. 7, but there’s a chance they move back in the first round. If they end up finding a trade partner, Dan Duggan of The Athletic believes the organization could be targeting Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum later in the first round. Staying in New York, Peter King of Football Morning in America writes that the Giants could select Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 7. Some recent reports indicated the Giants front office was down on the prospect, but King says the team has “done a ton of work on him since his Pro Day.” The Giants are also “extremely interested” in Florida State pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II and Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross, per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com.
Speaking of Thibodeaux, there’s a chance the edge jumps all the way to No. 2. While King has the Lions selecting Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson with the second-overall pick, the reporter cautions that Detroit is “smitten” with the Oregon defender and could shake up the draft board by selecting him earlier than expected. Meanwhile, ESPN’s Todd McShay doesn’t see Thibodeaux falling pass the Falcons at No. 8.
Wrapping up King’s notes, the reporter writes that the Falcons like Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral. King has Atlanta trading up to select the signal-caller at No. 32, but there’s a chance Corral ends up falling to them anyway at their current selection at No. 43. Meanwhile, there hasn’t been much buzz connecting the Falcons to a quarterback at No. 8, according to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.
The Vikings are eyeing cornerbacks at No. 12, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. The reporter hints that a team outside of the top-12 could look to jump the Vikings in pursuit of one of the draft’s top cornerbacks.
McShay had a handful of notable tidbits about some NFC squads. The Seahawks are taking a “hard look” at Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis at No. 9, and the front office is also intrigued by LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.. Meanwhile, the Eagles “preference” at No. 15 could be Alabama wideout Jameson Williams, and there’s little chance the receiver falls past the Saints at No. 16. Albert Breer of SI.com shares a similar sentiment about the Eagles, with sources telling him that the Eagles are seeking a pass rusher.
Continuing in Philly, the Eagles may not end up even selecting at No. 15. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggests (on Twitter) that the Eagles could be a candidate to move up in the first round. The reporter suggests that the front office could be targeting a cornerback or edge rusher.

Latest On DL Prospects Jordan Davis, Logan Hall

April 21st, 2022 at 1:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

Quarterbacks have remained central to the storylines leading up to this year’s draft, but the class is dominated by its defensive talent. Two of the top prospects with regard to defensive linemen are Georgia’s Jordan Davis and Houston’s Logan Hall.

As noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter), Davis has had pre-draft visits with a number of teams. Included among those are the Ravens and Eagles, two clubs which could very well find themselves within range of drafting him. Baltimore is set to pick 14th, while Philadelphia owns selections No. 15 and 19.

The Ravens reunited with Michael Pierce this offseason, signing him to occupy the nose tackle position. His addition points to the departure of Brandon Williams, leaving room for at least depth in that role. The Eagles, meanwhile, released, then re-signed Fletcher Cox, an anchor on the team’s defensive line throughout his career. He only inked a one-year deal, though, so the position should be a point of emphasis in the draft.

Davis was a mainstay on the Bulldogs’ defense during his four seasons with Georgia. Playing in a run-stopping role, the six-foot-six, 340 pounder totalled seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Those numbers, along with eye-popping athletic testing at the combine, leave the door open to his development as a three-down player.

While Davis – who finished top-10 in Heisman voting last season – is viewed as a first-round lock, Hall may join him on Day 1. Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network recently reported that the list of teams to have met with him includes the Giants, Cowboys, Texans, Buccaneers, Bears and Titans (Twitter link). His draft ranking places him in a range from late in the first round to early in the second, so the interest from those teams comes as no surprise.

In four years with the Cougars, Hall put up almost identical numbers to Davis. His potential versatility in terms of where he can line up on the field (at 260 pounds, many view him as a defensive end at the NFL level), and overall pre-draft process have helped his stock. He could find himself at the top of the second tier of d-linemen, behind Davis and Devonte Wyatt.

These two have certainly generated plenty of interest, making their ultimate destination next week one of the many things to keep an eye on at the draft.