K’Von Wallace injury further tests the Eagles’ safety depth

Philadelphia’s fill-in starting safety is headed to IR.

Isaac Seumalo isn’t the only player heading to injured reserve following the Philadelphia Eagles’ embarrassing Week 3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The team announced K’Von Wallace will be headed to IR due to a separated shoulder. Wallace’s injury will cause him to miss at least three games and up to six, according to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

This development leaves the Eagles lacking on the back end. Wallace had been starting in place of veteran defender Rodney McLeod, who has been limited in practice since being activated from active/PUP. Perhaps McLeod will finally be able to return to game action this week as he works his way back from a December 2020 ACL injury. But it’s currently unclear if that’s the case.

If McLeod can’t play, it’ll be Marcus Epps who starts at safety next to Anthony Harris. The top backup currently on the roster behind that duo is … Andre Chachere? Chachere has stood out on special teams but he’s yet to play a defensive snap in the NFL. And his safety experience in the pros is limited to 25 preseason snaps.

The Eagles signing Elijah Riley from their practice squad to their roster seems like an obvious move at this point. Still, the team might need to add even more at the position. They could look to sign a safety off another team’s practice squad. A veteran addition is possible, though it won’t be Andrew Adams since he rejoined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

There was excitement when the Eagles selected K’Von Wallace with a Day 3 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Many thought the Clemson defender to be a steal for Philly. He underwhelmed as a rookie, however, and he’s off to a bad start in Year 2. He struggled with injury issues in training camp and failed to stand out (PFF’s 8th worst graded safety) in relief of McLeod. Now he’s set to miss multiple games while on IR.