Andrew Mukuba is starting to have Eagles fans concerned about his availability

Mukuba has been sidelined for about two weeks with a hamstring injury, leading the team to bring back Marcus Epps to the practice squad, making Epps a candidate to be elevated in their week one matchup vs the Cowboys.

What the Eagles' plan is if Mukuba isn't ready to go for Week 1

The Eagles are currently set to start Sydney Brown (along with a helping of Cooper DeJean) with Mukuba's injury still hampering his availability. While Eagles fans have praised Brown's ability as a special teams standout, his play at safety has often left fans longing for a bit more production. While Epps is a familiar face to the Eagles defense, he is returning to the team in a new defense (though Fangio was a consultant during Epps' last year in 2022), following an ACL tear (in 2024 with the Raiders) and nearly three years of age.

The Mukaba injury also forces the Eagles to get creative regarding special teams. If Brown is forced into the starting lineup, it is often an overlooked portion of the game that the Eagles' special teams units may falter a bit.

The Cowboys host KaVontae Turpin as their returner, who is a two-time Pro Bowler, while earning an All-Pro selection as a returner in 2024, since joining the Cowboys in 2022 from the USFL's New Jersey Generals. The dynamic Turpin has shown the ability to take advantage of lackluster special team units as he did in Week 12 vs the Washington Commanders.

With the Eagles scheduled to take on the Cowboys in Week 1, Mukuba has a week to get healthy if he hopes to make his NFL debut.