Philadelphia Eagles: What to Do at Inside Linebacker

Dec 22, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Kiko Alonso (50) against the Miami Dolphins at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Buffalo beats Miami 19 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Keep DeMeco Ryans as a Backup

The first option is the simplest of the three options. DeMeco Ryans has been a very productive player during his tenure as a Philadelphia Eagle. Since becoming an Eagles in 2012, Ryans has played in 40 games and has collected 285 tackles, five sacks, and four interceptions. Until he tore his achilles tendon last season, Ryans hadn’t missed a game for the Eagles and he hadn’t missed a game since 2010, when he tore his achilles tendon as a member of the Houston Texans.

Ryans is the captain and leader of not only the Eagles defense, but the roster as a whole. When Ryans went done last season, Chip Kelly had this to say about him, “He’s the true leader of our defense. … He’s Mufasa. He’s our guy”.

The Eagles defense really struggled down the stretch with out their leader and the team dropped three of its last four games, causing them to miss the playoffs.

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) lies on the ground during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Eagles defeated the Texans 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest concern for Ryans is his health and if he will be able to regain his form of the last three seasons. This is his second achilles injury and he is getting up there in age, which is causing plenty of concern amongst Eagles fans and presumably the Eagles front office.

Both Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks are both younger than Ryans and more athletic, but both of them also have their own history with injuries.

Alonso missed all of last season with an ACL injury and Kendricks has never played an entire 16 games during his three-year career, including only playing in 12 games last year.

If either Kendricks or Alonso get hurt at some point in the season, Ryans is a very good player and would be able to come in and pick up right where the other left off. Ryans can continue to serve as a leader for the Eagles in the locker-room and as a mentor for Alonso and Kendricks.

Next: Keep All Three