Eagles rookie CB JaCorey Shepherd has torn ACL, out for season

Eagles have lost rookie cornerback JaCorey Shepherd for the season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. After undergoing an MRI this morning, it was revealed that Shepherd is done for the season with an ACL tear. A sixth-round pick out of Kansas, Shepherd had impressed the coaches enough that they felt comfortable parting ways with Boykin, according to the ESPN.

But Shepherd looked very promising during the Eagles’ offseason workouts, enough so that they traded Boykin. Eagles coach Chip Kelly said the Steelers had made several offers for Boykin beginning during the weekend of the NFL draft.

For now, that leaves Watkins and E.J. Biggers, a free agent signed after spending the past two seasons with the Washington Redskins, as the two main nickel corners on the roster, although both Thurmond and Jenkins could play there, too.

The injury means Shepherd will nearly certainly miss his entire rookie season. But he has competed for a nickel spot this summer, even taking first-team snaps on Sunday as part of the team’s ongoing rotation.

The Eagles have a few options here, but none of them are exciting. Watkins had experience playing cornerback, nickel and safety at the University of Florida. The Eagles want him on the outside, and that’s where he’ll stay. Byron Maxwell is locked in as the starter at right cornerback, and on the left side rookie second-round pick Eric Rowe appears to be the starter. The Eagles are not training him in the slot.