At a Glance
> At a Glance
> – Jaelan Phillips rolls ankle but plays 66 of 76 snaps in Eagles’ 13-12 win over Bills.
> – Phillips records 6 tackles, 3 pressures, 1 sack, forced fumble.
> – He’s played 87% of defensive snaps, highest since joining the Eagles.
> – Why it matters: Shows Phillips’ resilience and key role as a defensive leader.
A scary moment on Sunday turned into a showcase for Jaelan Phillips, the Eagles’ mid-season acquisition. After a brief ankle injury scare, Phillips returned to the field and posted a standout performance in the 13-12 victory over the Buffalo Bills. His playtime and impact underscore his importance to Philadelphia’s defense.
Injury Scare Turns Into Stellar Performance
Phillips was slow to get up in the second quarter and limped off the field, but he quickly realized it was a minor ankle roll. He told reporters that the injury felt familiar and he hoped it wasn’t serious. Phillips then played 66 of 76 defensive snaps, a 87% participation rate, the highest since joining the Eagles.
- 6 tackles
- 3 pressures
- 1 sack
- forced fumble
Usage and Game Participation
Phillips hasn’t played that high a percentage of his team’s defensive snaps in a game since the 2023 season under Vic Fangio in Miami. He was traded to Philadelphia before the Dolphins’ bye week and after the Eagles’ bye week, so with one game remaining in the regular season he has already played 17 games. If the Eagles play their starters in Week 18, Phillips could play 18 games.
| Week | Opponent | Snaps | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Packers | 53 | 77.9% |
| 11 | Lions | 45 | 76.3% |
| 12 | Cowboys | 59 | 79.7% |
| 13 | Bears | 67 | 77% |
| 14 | Chargers | 59 | 79.7% |
| 15 | Raiders | 30 | 71.4% |
| 16 | Commanders | 38 | 70.4% |
| 17 | Buffalo | 66 | 86.8% |
Only two other players have matched this: Leonard Williams with the Giants and Seahawks in 2023 and Mike Williams with the Jets and Steelers in 2024.
Defensive and Offensive Highlights
The Eagles’ defense logged 76 snaps, with five players staying on the field for the full game: Cooper DeJean, Reed Blankenship, Quinyon Mitchell, Marcus Epps, and Zack Baun. Without Nakobe Dean (hamstring), Jihaad Campbell got his first start since Week 8, played 71 snaps, and recovered a fumble in the first half. The edge rotation saw Jaelan Phillips play 66 snaps (87%), Nolan Smith 50 snaps (66%), Jalyx Hunt 36 snaps (47%), and Brandon Graham 7 snaps (9%). The DT rotation included Jalen Carter 58 snaps (76%), Jordan Davis 47 snaps (62%), Moro Ojomo 45 snaps (59%), and Byron Young 17 snaps (22%).
- Jalen Hurts and the offensive line played all 54 snaps.
- WRs: A.J. Brown 48 snaps (89%), DeVonta Smith 46 snaps (85%), Jahan Dotson 26 snaps (48%), Darius Cooper 17 snaps (31%).
- RBs: Saquon Barkley 43 snaps (80%), Tank Bigsby 5 snaps (9%), Will Shipley 5 snaps (9%).
- Barkley finished the game with 19 carries for 68 yards, long 16.
- TEs: Dallas Goedert 43 snaps (80%), Grant Calcaterra 19 snaps (35%), Kylen Granson 10 snaps (19%), Cameron Latu 6 snaps (11%).
- Goedert caught his 11th touchdown of the season, a franchise record for tight ends.
- Matt Pryor had one snap in the jumbo package, Fred Johnson was the extra lineman but has been starting at right tackle in recent games due to Lane Johnson’s foot injury.
- Cooper DeJean had one snap at the end of the game in victory formation, having played nine offensive snaps in that role this season.
Key Takeaways
- Jaelan Phillips’ 87% snap rate and 6 tackles, 3 pressures, 1 sack, and forced fumble highlight his defensive impact.
- He has played 17 games this season, with a chance to reach 18, a feat shared by only two other players.
- The Eagles’ defense and offense remained largely intact, with key players staying on the field throughout the game.
Phillips’ ability to bounce back from an ankle roll and maintain high snap counts reaffirms his status as a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense.
