The Philadelphia Eagles travel south this weekend to play the Miami Dolphins in Sun Life Stadium. In preparing for the game, the Eagles have shuffled their linebacker corps in an effort to shore up their largest weakness. According to an ESPN.com report, the Eagles are making an adjustment to their nickel package.
Stepping in to the role is the team's former starting middle linebacker Casey Matthews. The rookie fourth-round pick started the team's first three games before being benched in the the Week 3 game against the New York Giants. Since that benching, Matthews has essentially been on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the linebacker corps has been in never ending transition.
This week, Matthews will find his way back onto the field against the Dolphins. He will serve in the nickel package.
"I feel a lot more prepared than I did," Matthews said. "During camp, when I was first in there, everything was on the run. I was just trying to learn on the fly. It was tough. This is another opportunity to go out there and show what I can do. I need to take advantage of it this time."
"We've got a few different personnel groups," said Philadelphia's embattled head coach Andy Reid. "We're going to try to utilize everybody, really. Casey earned the right to get back in there. He's done well when given the opportunity on short yardage and goal line. He's done well on the scout team and he's done well in the classroom.
"Like some of the other guys who took a step back to take a step forward, that's what we're doing with Casey."
Casey is the younger brother of the Green Bay Packers' Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews.