The Philadelphia Eagles are not sitting still while injuries pile up. The team reportedly signed veteran defensive back Kenny Moore II to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, according to Bleeding Green Nation . Just as the defense gets a boost, the offense faces a crisis. Tight end Dallas Goedert suffered a sprained MCL and will miss several weeks, leaving the roster thin. According to reports, the Eagles are now seeking former star Zach Ertz . These two signings address immediate holes in the lineup while the team tries to stay perfect at 2-0.
Moore brings nine years of experience from Indianapolis . He primarily played nickel corner for the Colts before they waived. him, and Philadelphia reportedly plans to use at both nickel and safety. His career stats are solid. The Eagles need that depth after losing Reed Blankenship to Houston . Moore also knows head coach Nick Sirianni from their time together in Indy. This familiarity could help him fit into the system quickly. The plan is for him to play multiple roles, giving the defense more options to stop the pass.
On the offensive side, the situation is more urgent. Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins remain the sole healthy tight ends on the 53-man roster now that Goedert is out. Both are used primarily as blockers, and Jenkins has only one career catch. That leaves a massive gap for the quarterback to throw to. Ertz could step in as the Eagles' top receiving option at tight end if he is elevated for the upcoming game. He is 35 years old and coming off a torn ACL. Despite the injury history, he still has a lot to offer. When Arizona acquired him in 2021 via trade, he had accumulated a significant number of receptions.
General manager Howie Roseman spoke highly of Ertz before the season started. Roseman said in August that he had tremendous respect for him as a player and a person. Now the team needs that production. Should the team have an available spot, Ertz might be signed immediately to the 53-man roster. He is expected to be ready for Monday night's game in Chicago . The math works if he stays healthy and gets the ball.
There is a catch to this plan. Ertz is currently signed to the practice squad, not the active roster. This means he might not play until the team clears a spot or promotes him. It is a gamble on an older player who has missed games due to injury in six of the last seven seasons. However, the alternative is worse. Playing with only blockers at tight end limits the offense. The Eagles have a chance to win the Super Bowl again, and they need every weapon they can get. Moore adds depth to a secondary that has struggled with consistency, while Ertz provides a reliable target in the passing game.
The team faces the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. How they handle these two new players will define the next few weeks. Moore lacks safety experience, so putting him on the back end is not a sure thing. Ertz has not played since December, so his timing with the quarterback is unproven. But the Eagles have a history of making bold moves when the season is on the line. They are trying to fix a broken window before it closes completely. The next two weeks will show if these signings were the right call or a desperate stopgap.
