8 Potential Options at Safety for the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles blew a 21-0 lead in an embarrassing loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12. Yet to make matters worse, the Eagles also lost both of their starting safeties due to injury throughout the game as well.
While we don’t know the extent of Reed Blankenship’s thigh injury, rookie Drew Mukuba could be lost for remainder of the season. According to multiple reports, Mukuba will undergo surgery to repair a fractured ankle that he suffered against the Cowboys.
Now the Eagles have a quick turnaround and will host the Chicago Bears on Black Friday. Yet Philadelphia has just one healthy safety on the 53-man roster in Sydney Brown, who has struggled to stay on the field in the past.
The Eagles could move Cooper DeJean or Michael Carter II to safety, yet that doesn’t seem like an ideal plan. Philadelphia also has Andre’ Sam on the practice squad, who showed promise throughout training camp and preseason action.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will likely have to make at least one addition at safety in the coming days. Philadelphia can’t afford to move forward with just one fully healthy safety on their 53-man roster.
Here are eight potential options for the Eagles to consider at safety ahead of Black Friday.
Justin Simmons, Free Agent
It feels like free agent veteran safety Justin Simmons has been linked to the Eagles since defensive coordinator Vic Fangio arrived in Philadelphia. Yet Simmons hasn’t been able to land a deal with the Eagles, or any other NFL team, in 2025.
While many expected Simmons to be signed by a team by now, he is still a free agent. The 32-year-old could certainly opt to stay home and sit out the remainder of this season, yet the Eagles could be desperate enough to show him the money that he might be seeking.
Simmons has familiarity with Fangio’s scheme and worked with Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker for three seasons with the Denver Broncos. If the Eagles need a full-time starter at safety, Simmons would likely provide the most seamless transition.
Jordan Whitehead, Free Agent
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead had a chaotic end to his career down south. He suffered an injury in a car accident heading to Tampa Bay’s practice facility last January.
The Buccaneers eventually opted to not pick-up Whitehead’s option, which made him a free agent in February. Whitehead is now fully healed and visited the Atlanta Falcons in late July, yet he didn’t sign a contract.
The 28-year-old is a Pennsylvania native and has plenty of starting experience in the NFL. He has started 107 games and would bring much-needed experience in Philadelphia.
Juan Thornhill, Jaguars
After helping the Kansas City Chiefs win two Super Bowls, Juan Thornhill has bounced around the NFL in recent years. He was released by the Cleveland Browns in February before signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Yet Thornhill struggled to hold onto his starting job in Pittsburgh and was eventually released. He has since signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, which would allow the Eagles to sign him to their 53-man roster.
K’Von Wallace, Texans
Here’s a name that Eagles fans are certainly familiar with. Philadelphia selected K’Von Wallace in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While he has bounced around the league in recent years, he is currently signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.
Wallace showed some promise with the Seattle Seahawks in 2024 before suffering an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve. Now Wallace is healthy and the Eagles could opt to poach him from Houston’s practice squad.
Jalen Mills, Texans
Wallace isn’t the only familiar face that is currently on Houston’s practice, there is also former Eagles cornerback-turned-safety Jalen Mills. The 31-year-old has carved out a nice career for himself after being selected by Philadelphia with the 233rd overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Mills has appeared in three games for the Texans this season and played 40 snaps for Houston’s defense in Week 11. The Eagles could try to sign Mills off Houston’s practice squad since he is now out of elevations for the Texans after also playing in Week 12.
Maxen Hook, Seahawks
Maxen Hook is the final familiar face that the Eagles could consider reuniting with. The 24-year-old safety signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft.
Hook was waived by the Eagles during final cuts and eventually signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad in October. He has yet to appear in a regular season game, but he is obviously familiar with Fangio’s scheme.
Marcus Williams, Chargers
It’s been quite a fall from grace for veteran safety Marcus Williams in recent years. In 2022, the Eagles made a “competitive offer” for Williams in free agency, before he eventually signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
Yet Williams was released by the Ravens in March and eventually signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad in October. While he has yet to log a snap this season, Williams has plenty of experience as a starting safety in the NFL.
Mike Edwards, Chiefs
Mike Edwards got off to a hot start in the NFL, as he helped two different franchises win the Super Bowl within his first five seasons in the league. Yet Edwards has bounced around the league in recent years and is currently on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.
Edwards is still just 29-years old and has started 37 games in the NFL. While he certainly isn’t as intriguing as some other names on this list, he has contributed on several contending teams since 2019.