Each week, Isaiah Rodgers writes down his goals for the week. Putting them into words, he says, allows him to “try to make them exist.”

This week, he only wrote about one thing: winning the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.

Aim high, they say.

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Rodgers is expected to make his first start since Boxing Day 2022 with the Colts. Eagles cornerback Kill Darius will miss Sunday’s game against Jacksonville with a groin injury, and Rodgers has earned the top spot as the next man up at outside corner.

Rodgers, 26, fought with rookie Quinyon Mitchell during training camp for the position against Slaybut finished in second place and played sparingly in the final four games, although those appearances featured a few key moments.

Rodgers, whom the Eagles signed in 2023 while serving a season-long suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy, was part of two poor special teams teams playing during the Week 4 loss at Tampa.

He made a mental error, throwing an opposing player onto a punt returner. Cooper DeJean while the Eagles fielded a punt. He then blocked a touchdown attempt point after touchdown. In last week’s win at Cincinnati, Rodgers, replacing Slay after leaving the game, made a strong recovery play down the sideline against Ja’Marr Chase and sent Joe Burrow’s pass into the hands of CJ Gardner -Johnson for the Eagles’ first takeaway since the week. 3.

It’s been an eventful 108 total snaps for Rodgers (58 on defense, 50 on special teams), who, along with his Eagles teammates, face a weakened Jacksonville offense. The Jaguars lost wide receiver Christian Kirk to a broken collarboneand first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr., who is on pace to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie season, is a game-time decision. The same goes for wide receiver Gabe Davis and running back Travis Etienne.

Rodgers said he treated this week of game preparation like any other.

“I didn’t do too much or not enough,” he said. “I prepared like any other match. I’ve felt good since I came back here. I’m just trying not to make the moment too important to me.

The goal, however, is as big as possible.

Becton is back

Mekhi Becton was a full participant in training on Thursday and again on Friday after clearing the concussion protocol. Becton lost in the first half of the Eagles’ 28-3 win over the Giants. He said he knew right away he had suffered a concussion and it took him three to four days to finally feel like himself again. Becton missed last week’s win at Cincinnati, but he could return to his right guard role Sunday. He will replace Tyler Steen, who filled in well for Becton during the absence.

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Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Friday that he saw some improvement in Steen, who was “getting a really good shift” against the Bengals.

“He’s always prepared, so it’s no surprise to me,” Becton said of Steen. “I see him doing his job every day.”

Becton said that despite competing for the same position, he works with Steen to try to improve each other’s play.

“That’s my guy,” Becton said. “They’re cool people.”

Becton and the rest of the Eagles front, still missing left tackle Jordan Mailatawill have a tough task against a tough Jaguars front that features edge rushers Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.

The line will need to hone its craftsmanship “and make sure we get to our location before they get to their location,” Becton said.

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Injury report

The Eagles will be without Slay and Tight End Dallas Goedertwho will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury. They are the only two Eagles on the active roster to carry an injury designation through Sunday.

DeVonta Smith I missed training on Friday for a personal reason. The rest of the team participated fully, including left guard Landon Dickerson, who missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited Thursday with a knee injury.

The Eagles take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. Join Eagles beat reporters Olivia Reiner and EJ Smith as they dissect the hottest storylines surrounding the team on Play Day Centerlive from Lincoln Financial Field.