6 Eagles starters who must step up vs. Rams in Week 4
6 Eagles starters who must step up vs. Rams in Week 4
Geoffrey A Knox, Eagles WireThu, October 1, 2026 at 8:20 PM UTC
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And, just like that, three games have evaporated from the Philadelphia Eagles' schedule. 'Boring' wouldn't be a word we'd attach to any of them. Their third brought the first loss of the campaign, and now attention shifts to the team many labeled preseason Super Bowl favorites: Sean McVay's Los Angeles Rams.
Jalen Hurts is one of the obvious names worth mentioning here. If he is going head-to-head with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, Hurts must lead drives that consistently end with touchdowns rather than field goals or punts.
Cam Jurgens and the Eagles' interior offensive line also need to be better than they have been. That's particularly true if Aaron Donald is in the mix. Time will tell if he's available for Sunday. He and Puka Nacua both appeared on the Rams' Week 4 injury report. Donald is battling a back injury. Nacua is expected to play despite his hip injury.
Both sides have stars, but if Philadelphia is to walk out of Lincoln Financial Field with a win, the Eagles' stars must shine. Given the way this matchup is shaping up, here are four Eagles who need to lead the charge.
Jihaad Campbell, linebacker
Zack Baun has yet to practice this week while working through the concussion protocol, creating uncertainty about his availability for Sunday. That matters because Baun has been one of Philadelphia's most active defenders, and PFF recently highlighted him among the NFL leaders in stops.
Campbell hasn't exactly enjoyed a dominant start to the season, and he is now dealing with a knee injury of his own. If Baun cannot go, Campbell could find himself with a much larger responsibility against a Rams offense that does a particularly good job marrying its rushing attack with play-action. Los Angeles has been running the ball effectively with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, so Campbell will need to be disciplined against both the run and Stafford's play-action game.
Saquon Barkley, running back
Saquon Barkley looked impressive during the first two quarters of the Eagles' loss to the Chicago Bears, but Philadelphia needs that version of its star running back for four quarters.
The Rams are dangerous when an opponent allows them to dictate terms defensively, so Barkley's ability to create early-down efficiency could be critical. A productive rushing attack would take some pressure off Hurts, slow down the Rams' pass rush, and give Philadelphia a chance to control possession rather than turning the game into a pure passing contest.
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After a quiet second half against Chicago, Barkley has an opportunity to make a much bigger impact against Los Angeles.
Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, defensive tackles
Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis have already made their presence felt in recent meetings with Los Angeles. Both blocked field-goal attempts in last year's matchup, while Carter delivered the memorable sack that ended the Divisional Round meeting in January 2025.
They may need another significant performance Sunday, especially with the Rams bringing one of the league's more balanced offenses into Philadelphia. Carter is still dealing with a wrist injury, while Davis was limited Wednesday with a calf issue, so their availability and effectiveness will be worth monitoring.
The Eagles need their interior defensive line to disrupt both the run and Stafford's timing. If Carter and Davis can do that, Philadelphia has a much better chance of keeping the Rams from dictating the game.
Quinyon Mitchell & Riq Woolen, cornerbacks
This could be the biggest test of Riq Woolen and Quinyon Mitchell's young seasons. Davante Adams has been outstanding through the opening weeks, while Puka Nacua is again working his way back from a hip injury and is expected to have a chance to return Sunday.
Nacua led the NFL in receptions last season, and Adams has already shown he can carry the Rams' passing game when his teammate is out. Philadelphia's secondary struggled badly against Chicago, so there is little room for another off day. Mitchell will have to deal with elite route runners, physical contested catches, and Stafford's willingness to trust his receivers in tight coverage. A bounce-back performance from him could go a long way toward helping the Eagles prevent the Rams from turning every third down into a manageable situation.
Final analysis
The Eagles don't necessarily need these four players to dominate. They need them to be better than they were last week when the circumstances demand it. Against a Los Angeles that can attack weaknesses in multiple ways, those improvements could be the difference between another frustrating afternoon and a statement win at home.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 6 Eagles starters who must step up vs. Rams in Week 4
Source: “AOL Sports”
