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Arnold Ebiketie is seizing an opportunity with Jonathan Greenard out
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- Arnold Ebiketie is seizing an opportunity with Jonathan Greenard out
Arnold Ebiketie needed time to become comfortable in Vic Fangio's defense, but the veteran outside linebacker is beginning to capitalize on an important opportunity at Philadelphia Eagles training camp. Ebiketie has received additional practice repetitions while Jonathan Greenard has been sidelined. Those snaps have allowed the former Atlanta Falcons edge rusher to improve his understanding of Fangio's system and strengthen his case for a role in Philadelphia's rotation.
"He's made nice progress here," Fangio said. "Coming in in the offseason in the six OTAs we had, it was kind of new to him. He was hesitant, not sure. I think he's made a lot of progress in that manner and is having a much better camp."
Ebiketie signed a one-year contract with the Eagles during the offseason after spending his first four NFL seasons in Atlanta. The 2022 second-round pick recorded 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 126 quarterback pressures in 67 appearances with the Falcons.
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Philadelphia's edge group offers considerable competition. Greenard joined the Eagles through a draft-weekend trade with Minnesota , while Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith return after handling significant roles last season. The team also added veterans A.J. Epenesa and Ebiketie to improve the depth surrounding its young rushers.
Greenard's absence has created more opportunities for the rest of the group to work against Philadelphia's top offensive linemen and demonstrate their value to Fangio.
"Him and some of the other guys are taking advantage of the reps they're gaining with OLB Jonathan Greenard being out for a while," Fangio said.
Ebiketie's established pass-rush production gives him a legitimate path into the rotation. Continued improvement within Fangio's system could make him an important rotational option when the regular season begins.
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This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Arnold Ebiketie is seizing an opportunity with Jonathan Greenard out
