Is Reed Blankenship ready to take on a major role for the Eagles with CJGJ out? FlyEaglesFly
A first-year undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State, Sunday represented quite the turn of events for Blankenship. Blankenship had played two defensive snaps this season prior to Sunday’s breakout showing. Blankenship was elevated to the No. 3 safety job just one week earlier. Blankenship ended up playing 35 of Philadelphia’s 49 defensive snaps. It accounted for 71% of Philadelphia’s total defensive plays.
Blankenship has massive shoes to fill. Gardner-Johnson is the NFL’s interceptions leader with six total takeaways. Luckily for the Eagles, Blankenship is no stranger to heavier workloads. Blankenship’s vast experience and football IQ will allow him to smoothly enter Philadelphia’s starting lineup. A five-year player at Middle Tennessee State, Blankenship was the unquestioned leader of the Blue Raiders. Blankenship made 53 appearances across five campaigns. He recorded an all-time program record 419 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, nine interceptions, 19 passes defended, four fumble recoveries, three fumbles forced, and 3.0 sacks. Blankenship surprisingly went undrafted in April, but quickly became one of three undrafted Eagles to make their 53-man roster.
Blankenship was an NFL-worthy talent coming out of MTSU despite his undrafted status. The Eagles will undeniably miss Gardner-Johnson, who’s been a difference-maker and leader in their secondary. Gardner-Johnson may miss the remainder of the regular season. Blankenship is talented enough to make a seamless transition to his new starring role.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eagles stats: Miles Sanders’ tough running, Reed Blankenship’s stellar play backed up analyticsSanders did most of his damage after contact, and the Eagles' surprise defensive star was also their highest-graded.
Read more »
Fantastic Four's Reed Richards Has His Own Hulk Form - The BruteFantastic Four's Reed Richards may be a hero, but he also has his very own 'Hulk' form which reveals the man he might have become without his family. Exit Mister Fantastic, enter the Brute!
Read more »
What to know about the type of kidney injury that Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson sufferedAbout three NFL players injure a kidney every season, according to 2008 study from the American Journal of Sports Medicine. Here is what you need to know about this type of injury.
Read more »
Report: Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson out with lacerated kidneyTreatment for the injury is reportedly nonsurgical, but it is unclear when Gardner-Johnson will be cleared to return to the field.
Read more »
Bald eagles are again building a nest at White Rock Lake: Here’s what we knowThe bald eagles that were first spotted last year near White Rock Lake have been causing a stir for the past several weeks. After leaving the area briefly...
Read more »
Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has a lacerated kidney, but could still return this seasonGardner-Johnson was hurt during the victory over Green Bay. His six interceptions lead the NFL and he has logged eight pass breakups as well.
Read more »