Joshua Weru just did something rare. He recorded his first NFL sack in only his second football game of his entire life. The rookie linebacker, signed through the International Player Pathway program, has played two games total and already has a sack on his resume. Instant impact like that is uncommon even for drafted players.
A Rookie With Almost No Experience
Most prospects spend years in college learning the basics. Weru skipped most of that. Bleeding Green Nation noted that his first NFL sack came in the second football game he has ever played. He first stepped on a field just a week earlier. Now he is sacking quarterbacks against the New England Patriots. The speed of his development stands out. If he can produce with so little experience, the upside is obvious once he gets more film and practice reps.
The game was played Saturday night in Foxborough. The Eagles lost 24-21, but Weru’s moment stood out. He was part of a defensive front that looked more functional after a rough showing in Baltimore the week before. The execution was tighter overall, and Weru fit right into that improvement.
The Backup Quarterback Battle
While the defense found some spark, the quarterback room remains unsettled. Andy Dalton started again and struggled, finishing 3-of-10 for 44 yards with a 45.4 passer rating. Tanner McKee entered midway through the second quarter and looked sharper, throwing for 173 yards and two touchdowns with a 125.8 rating. McKee worked with a lesser supporting cast and still outplayed Dalton. The Eagles will need to decide soon whether Dalton is worth keeping as a trade piece or if McKee has clearly taken the backup job.
Carson Steele also stood out. He ran hard but finished with only 33 yards on 11 carries. He led the team in receiving with 84 yards and a touchdown. Will Shipley added 56 rushing yards and a score. The running back room looks deep, though the injury to Ja’Quinden Jackson is a concern. Jackson left the game in an ambulance after a special teams hit. The team confirmed he has full movement in all extremities, but the situation remains serious.
Other roster notes from the night: Myles Hinton has played exclusively at left tackle through two preseason games. Jake Majors played 18 snaps at guard before moving to center and appears to be on the bubble. Stone Smartt was heavily targeted but also played a lot on special teams, making him a practice squad candidate. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. continues to play well, finishing with five tackles and a sack by halftime.
The defense is finding its identity without the starters. Weru’s sack shows that depth can come from unexpected places. The 24-21 loss matters less than the individual flashes that could shape the final roster.
