Andrew Mukuba's injury places a spotlight back on a former Eagles fan favorite

We talk about roster depth all of the time, and we don't do that for no reason. The Philadelphia Eagles seemed to be humming vs. the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12. Then, 'you know what' happened. A 21-0 lead disintegrated into a 24-21 loss.

The result has been discussed since its occurrence. The possible reasons are under surveillance. Injuries always play a part, and guys were dropping like flies on the defensive side of the ball.

Three of their five starters in the secondary left the game and didn't return. Adoree’ Jackson suffered a concussion. Reed Blankenship has a thigh injury, and Andrew Mukuba has fractured an ankle.

Mukuba's injury will require surgery. We'll learn more about Blankenship and Jackson this week. In the meantime, a former fan favorite has found his way back towards the spotlight.

Ladies and gentlemen, reintroduce yourselves to Sydney Brown.

Sydney Brown was a third-round selection taken by the Eagles during the 2023 NFL Draft. He was the 66th player taken overall.

He won over fans quickly with his straightforward attacking style and the pride he took in delivering punishment. In Week 17 of his rookie campaign, he scored on a pick-six, returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown.

The highs turned to lows quickly. The very next week, he tore his ACL on the unforgiving turf at MetLife Stadium, and thanks to suffering a season-ending injury so late in the campaign, by the time he was cleared for contact again, it was Week 7 in 2024.

Philadelphia had found an option they liked better in the starting role, a returning C.J. Gardner-Johnson. C.J. G.J. left the following offseason (again). He was traded away for an offensive lineman, Kenyon Green. Andrew Mukuba was drafted, and Brown has been trying to climb the depth chart's ladder again ever since.

So, there you have it, the competitive nature of the NFL. Brown has gone from a promising third-rounder who might be a steal to become a guy whom the Eagles seem more intent on replacing. Injuries change everything, though, and with Blankenship and Mukuba injured, Brown is back in the spotlight.

There are options. The Eagles could finally consider signing former Vic Fangio pupil Justin Simmons, but if they don't, it presents Sydney Brown with another opportunity. Oh, and just in case you're interested, C.J. Gardner-Johnson is now on the Chicago Bears roster, who coincidentally are the Eagles' next opponent.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Andrew Mukuba’s injury pushes a forgotten Eagles star back into focus