Philadelphia Eagles Lose Cornerback Ronald Darby for the Season

by
Former Writers
November 12, 2018

Brian Allen via Flickr

Philadelphia Eagles’ Cornerback Ronald Darby Out for the Season with Torn ACL

Things for Eagles fans have gotten worse. It was announced on Monday that cornerback Ronald Darby suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s game and is out for the remainder of the season.

#Eagles coach Doug Pederson announces that standout CB Ronald Darby tore his ACL and is out for the season. That one hurts.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 12, 2018

Philadelphia now sits two games back of both the division and a wild-card spot with a defense that appears to be getting worse. The Eagles are losing their best currently available corner in Darby, as their depth is already depleted. Fellow starters Jalen Mills and Sidney Jones have not been healthy as of late.

The Eagles’ pass defense is one of the worst in the league. They’re allowing 266 passing yards per game. This defense has also been bad forcing takeaways only recording four interceptions this season. Losing a player like Darby will only make their defense worse, and their playoff hopes bleak.

What’s Next for Philadelphia?

With the trade deadline passed and no viable corner options on the free agent market, Philadelphia is in a bad spot. The team turned to undrafted rookie Chandon Sullivan in Darby’s place last night, and that was a clear disadvantage.

Following Darby’s injury, Dak Prescott was 8-9 with 92 passing yards, and the Cowboys scored two touchdowns. It was clear once Darby was out, the Cowboys were not going to be stopped. Philadelphia will have to rely heavily on second-year cornerback Rasul Douglas and rookie Avonte Maddox.

Eagles fans can only hope that cornerback Sidney Jones is close to returning as this season might be over soon. Philadelphia still has games against the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams who are both in the top three of scoring offenses.

What’s Next for Ronald Darby?

Ronald Darby has been lock-down for the Eagles, leading the team in pass deflections and interceptions this season. With the loss of Patrick Robinson this offseason, Darby was the Eagles’ only proven cornerback. Darby will now enter free agency this offseason with an uphill battle to earn a big contract that his play has deserved.

#Eagles CB Ronald Darby, just 24, is slated to be a free agent after 2018, perhaps the top available at his position. The ACL complicates things, but Allen Robinson did sign a large deal coming off the same injury last year. Will be fascinating to watch

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 12, 2018

With a tough rehab ahead, it will be interesting to see what market Darby will entertain. Darby would have been the best available cornerback free agent next year. Now he may be a steal for a franchise in need.