Eagles OLB Jonathan Greenard To Miss Start Of Season?

Greenard suffered a pectoral strain while lifting weights last month, leading the Eagles to place him on the active/physically unable to perform list at the beginning of training camp on July 29. The 29-year-old remains on the list three weeks later. If that does not change by the time the Eagles assemble their 53-man roster on Aug. 30, Greenard will shift to reserve/PUP and become ineligible for their first four regular-season games.

Greenard emerged as an early offseason trade target for the Eagles, who began discussing him with the Vikings before the new league year opened in March. The Eagles tried to re-sign edge defender Jaelan Phillips, but over a month after he took the Panthers’ four-year, $120MM offer in free agency, they acquired Greenard as a replacement.

When Day 2 of the draft rolled around, general manager Howie Roseman sent two third-round picks to Minnesota for Greenard and a seventh-rounder. Greenard was seeking a raise at the time, and the Eagles quickly granted his wish with a four-year, $98MM extension. They included $50MM in guaranteed money in the deal.

While Greenard boasts a track record of quality production, including back-to-back 12-sack seasons from 2023-24, the seventh-year vet also has a concerning injury history. Greenard put together a full season in 2024, his lone Pro Bowl campaign, but he missed between three and nine games in the other five years. He sat out five last season as a result of a shoulder injury that required surgery. All told, Greenard appeared in 44 of a possible 51 games in his three seasons with the Vikings. He played 33 of 50 with the Texans from 2020-22.

The Eagles expect a healthy Greenard to serve as their top edge rusher, evidenced by the trade and lucrative extension, but his debut is TBD. If he remains out of commission when the Eagles kick off their season against the Commanders on Sept. 13, they will primarily lean on Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith as outside rushers. Free agent pickups Arnold Ebiketie and A.J. Epenesa should provide capable depth behind Greenard (whenever he’s ready), Hunt and Smith.