Eagles Wake-Up Call: Bryce Treggs Set To Make NFL Debut Against Giants

Bryce Treggs. (USA Today Sports)

The release of Josh Huff means the Eagles only have four wide receivers on their active roster. Three of those players have been active for every game this season: Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, and Dorial Green-Beckham. One of those players has not been active for a single regular season game in his NFL career: Bryce Treggs.

That could change this Sunday when the Eagles play the New York Giants.

“Yeah, that’s the impression,” said Treggs when asked if he expects to be active this week. “But like I say, you never really know until game day. I’ve been out there working all week, showing the coaches what I can do. Hopefully they’ll trust me enough to put me out there on Sunday.”

Most Eagles fans likely haven’t seen the 22-year-old play all that much since he only joined the team after being claimed on waivers following final roster cuts. Treggs only played in two preseason games this summer with the San Francisco 49ers before suffering an MCL injury.

Treggs is bit of an intriguing player, especially given the Eagles’ desperate lack of talent at receiver. In theory, at least, he has the ability to stretch the field. Treggs reportedly ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at Cal’s pro day. He led the PAC-12 in yards per reception (21.2) as a senior while recording 45 receptions for seven touchdowns and 956 yards.

“I’ve been playing fast for awhile,” said Treggs. “Sometimes you get dudes that run 4.4, 4.3, but you turn on the film and they’re not really playing as fast as they show. I’m going to run 100 miles per hour on every play and give it my all. That’s really what it comes down to. Not only having a fast 40 but playing fast on the field.”

The Eagles have sorely lack a consistent deep threat since the team used to employ the likes of DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Expecting Treggs to suddenly earn the company of those players is unrealistic. But at least the undrafted rookie brings a theoretical skill-set to the table, which might more than what could be say for a struggling receiver like Agholor.

Treggs is not expected to be a one-for-one replacement for Huff. He hasn’t been practicing jet sweeps, for example, and he’s not expecting to return kickoffs.

“I have not been practicing [Josh’s role],” said Treggs. “I’m not Josh. Josh is a great player, even better person. So it’s definitely going to be hard to replace him. That’s my guy. But no, I’m not doing any of that stuff.”

Treggs might not be replacing Huff’s role, but he could find himself replacing the former receiver’s playing time. Through seven games this season, Huff played 28.9% of Philadelphia’s offensive snaps. That was good for an average of 19 snaps per game. Treggs will likely find himself in a similarly limited offensive role.

It will be interesting to see if the Eagles get aggressive with their rookie wide receiver. The Birds have been criticized for lacking a vertical passing attack, especially coming off a game where Carson Wentz averaged 4.7 yards per attempt.

For what it’s worth, Treggs says he has a good relationship with the Eagles’ rookie quarterback. The two players first met in Chicago prior to the 2016 NFL Draft.

“Great relationship with him,” said Treggs of Wentz. “He throws a great deep ball. You haven’t seen it yet, but he throws a great deep ball and I’m excited for that.”

So will the Eagles see that deep ball unleashed on Sunday with Treggs on the receiving end?

“There might be a chance, yeah. What time do we play on Sunday? One? Turn on the game and see what happens.”

WHAT YOU MISSED

“There’s not too much that you can say to him, but try to be uplifting and tell him to stay grounded and just know brighter days are ahead.” Many players react to the release of Josh Huff.

“It’s disappointing that we have to stand up here and do this, but we’re trying to building something.” Howie Roseman explained why the Eagles released Josh Huff.

Josh Huff was released by the Eagles after Doug Pederson said he would play Sunday against the Giants.

Take a look at our predictions for this week’s slate of NFL games.

“I know how to explain myself and I let passion and emotion get the best of me that day when I was speaking.” Nelson Agholor apologized for his comments made after Sunday night’s loss to the Cowboys.

PODCAST

The BGN Radio crew previews the Eagles-Giants game.

https://soundcloud.com/bgn-radio/200-a-team-full-of-dumbasses

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

In an anonymous 16 player poll, more than half the players said they currently own a firearm, pens Dave Zangaro of CSNPhilly.com.

In a straw poll conducted by CSNPhilly.com on Wednesday afternoon, in which participants were granted anonymity, nine of 16 players polled (56 percent) said they currently own a firearm. The players, chosen at random, own them for one of two reasons: hunting or protection.

“Just depending on the situation, I think,” Fletcher Cox said. “Most professional athletes, I think, do own a firearm. It could be for protection, protecting their family, or just other things like me, man. I’m a big hunter. I love my firearms.”

Almost all the players polled, whether they owned guns or not, understood why a pro athlete would want to have a gun to protect himself and his family – the thinking is that they have a target on them because of their profession and wealth.

Head coach Doug Pederson, who owns guns as a hunter, was on the other side of that fence Wednesday.

“I don’t necessarily understand why they need guns outside of maybe sport hunting or whatever,” Pederson said. “But we just continue to educate our players and try to curb it the best we can.”

The Daily News’s Paul Domowitch writes that offensive coordinator Frank Reich wants to get the ball more to Zach Ertz.

“We’re pushing for that. We’re thinking about it. We’re planning for it. I can tell you each week there are X number of plays geared to go to Ertz since he’s been back. And then the flow of the game (impacts), or they’re holding him at the line of scrimmage on a couple of plays.

“Flow of the game. I know that’s an out that you hear a lot. You’re probably tired of hearing flow of the game. But so are we. We just need to make more first downs and get him the ball. He’s a great tight end. And that’s our plan.’’

Reich acknowledged that the lack of practice time together this summer because of [Carson] Wentz’s rib injury probably is a factor.

“I think that’s part of it,’’ he said. “I felt early on that they had a natural connection. It’s easy to have a natural connection with Ertz — it really is. Because he’s such a good route runner and he’s so smart and he understands leverage and knows how to get open.”

COMING UP

Doug Pederson will address the media for the final time this week at 10:45 this morning.

Chris Jastrzembski contributed to this post.