{"id":93832,"date":"2020-08-30T20:23:45","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T00:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=93832"},"modified":"2020-08-30T20:26:37","modified_gmt":"2020-08-31T00:26:37","slug":"greg-ward-star-jalen-reagor-sidelined","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/08\/30\/greg-ward-star-jalen-reagor-sidelined\/","title":{"rendered":"Greg Ward Ready to Star With Jalen Reagor Sidelined"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the second time in as many seasons, the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> will need Greg Ward<\/a><\/strong> to play a major role in the offense. At this time last year, Ward was nothing more than a former practice squad member and AAF standout trying to secure a spot on the back of the roster. However, with Jalen Reagor<\/strong><\/a> sidelined, the Eagles will once again need this former quarterback to serve as a key piece of the passing offense.<\/p>\n

Greg Ward Ready to Shine After Jalen Reagor\u2019s Injury<\/h2>\n

2019 Recap<\/h3>\n

Greg Ward entered the 2019 offseason as one of the biggest afterthoughts on the roster. On paper, Philadelphia had one of the deepest receiver depth charts in the league, and Ward simply didn\u2019t have a realistic chance of making the roster. Alshon Jeffery<\/a><\/strong> could win on the outside, DeSean Jackson<\/a><\/strong> could stretch the field, Nelson Agholor<\/a><\/strong> handled the slot, and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside<\/strong><\/a> offered the promise of youth. Unsurprisingly, Ward didn\u2019t make the Week 1 roster and started the season on the practice squad.<\/p>\n

However, Ward soon had his chance to prove he belonged on the field. After a plethora of injuries devastated the depth chart, Ward suddenly found himself as one of the top options in the passing attack. Quickly developing a rapport with Carson Wentz<\/a><\/strong>, Ward finished the season with 28 receptions for 254 yards and one touchdown. He did all of this over the final six games of the year, with the Eagles going 4-2 in said outings.<\/p>\n

The Eagles needed to finish strong to win the division, and they couldn\u2019t have done it without Ward. The longtime practice squad member played a large part in Philadelphia\u2019s four-game season-ending winning streak, and even caught the game-winning touchdown against the Washington Redskins.<\/p>\n

Greg Ward Without Jalen Reagor<\/h3>\n

Ward played admirably down the stretch last year, but nobody wanted him to have to do it again. Philadelphia\u2019s front office made a genuine effort to bolster the receiving depth chart, trading for Marquise Goodwin<\/a><\/strong> while drafting Jalen Reagor, John Hightower<\/strong><\/a>, and Quez Watkins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

However, just like in 2019, the depth chart is falling apart. Alshon Jeffery is still not healthy and will almost certainly start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Marquise Goodwin opted out, and Reagor is out for approximately four weeks. DeSean Jackson is still around, but he\u2019s the only other proven commodity at wide receiver.<\/p>\n

Ready or not, Greg Ward is going to play a big role in the passing attack, at least early on. Fortunately, he should be up for the task. According to reports out of camp<\/a>, Ward has Wentz\u2019 complete and total trust. This is obviously the most important part of any quarterback-receiver connection, and we already know that this trust can translate onto the football field.<\/p>\n

Greg Ward might not be the biggest, fastest, or strongest receiver, but he has the heart of the champion and the trust of his quarterback. He\u2019s ready to be a starter in this offense, and should be able to handle a large target share while Reagor is sidelined.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>