On just the second day of training camp, the Eagles have suffered an important loss.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, OLB Travis Long will miss the 2015 regular season with a torn ACL—the third ACL tear the 24-year-old has suffered in the last four years.
From @JamesPalmerTV & me: #Eagles OLB Travis Long has suffered a torn ACL, sources say. Out for the season. Same knee as his last surgery
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 3, 2015
The ACL is the same one he tore in last season's final pre season game against the Baltimore Ravens. It was a tragic event for Long, as head coach Chip Kelly would later tell him that if it weren't for the injury, he would've made the team.
With the injury, the Eagles' depth at OLB took a major hit. Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham currently occupy the left and right starting jobs. After them, however, the talent drop-off is steep.
Last season's disappointing first-round pick Marcus Smith will now have plenty of eyes on him as he fights for the third OLB spot on the team's depth chart.
Long's injury puts Marcus Smith in the spotlight. The Eagles need a 3rd OLB to fill the role Graham had last year. Brad Jones can also play
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 3, 2015
Smith is the favorite among a group that includes Brad Jones, who the Eagles signed as a free agent back in March, 25-year-old Brandon Hepburn and rookie Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo. Neither Hepburn or DeWalt-Ondijo have ever played an NFL snap.
Veteran Bryan Braman is another option, but the 28-year-old has primarily played special teams.
Current ILB Kiko Alonso could potentially see some snaps at OLB in the wake of Long's injury. The 24-year-old was transitioning to OLB last season with the Buffalo Bills before suffering a torn ACL of his own.
