Vic Fangio keeps his blitz in reserve until “the game wears on” as Nick Sirianni leans on Makai Lemon and Hollywood Brown against Dallas

Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is not planning to open Monday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys with a flood of extra rushers, but he left the door open to a more aggressive plan later, saying a change could come “possibly as the game wears on.”

It was the clearest signal yet of how the Eagles’ staff intends to manage a 2-4 team that has lost four straight, plays without Jalen Hurts and is facing a division rival with the same record at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday, October 26, at 8:15 p.m. EDT.

Fangio’s choice, and his secondary

Fangio has sent extra pressure on 22.8 percent of opposing dropbacks this season, which ranks 29th in the league even though it is higher than his rate in either of the last two years. He made a point of saying any shift in approach would be his own decision rather than one he works out with head coach Nick Sirianni. The case for more risk is obvious from the other side of the ball: through six weeks the Eagles were 28th in points, 30th in yards and had more three-and-outs than any team in the league.

He also explained two changes in the back end. Kenny Moore has moved to safety, Fangio said, because he has been sharp on the practice field and held up last time out after being pushed into the lineup with almost no work, while the usual options were either not playing or injured. And Fangio stood by Cooper DeJean, who he said has played well overall, and tied an uptick in missed tackles to a stinger DeJean picked up against the Rams.

Dallas will know much of this. Christian Parker, the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, coached the Eagles’ defensive backs before leaving, and both DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell have credited him with their development. Six weeks in, his unit sits 25th in scoring defense and 30th in yardage allowed.

Sirianni’s receiver plan

With DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks ruled out (see the Eagles injury report), Sirianni used his Saturday news conference to talk up the players who will carry the passing game for Tanner McKee, who makes his second start. He said he likes how first-round rookie Makai Lemon has practiced, and said Hollywood Brown made one of the best catches he has ever seen during practice this week. Brown still has no catch for Philadelphia this season.

Sirianni would not say whether the club is thinking about shutting Smith down to let his hamstring heal. He also discussed rookie tight end Eli Stowers and the backup quarterback spot behind McKee.

Head Coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media. https://t.co/vog8gJiPLH

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 24, 2026

Lemon has been on the field for 72 percent of the offense’s snaps, catching 18 of the 28 passes thrown his way for 127 yards. His production has been better on throws that are not behind the line of scrimmage.

A kickoff problem to fix

Special teams coordinator Michael Clay said Carolina’s low, wobbling knuckleball kickoffs gave the Eagles’ returners trouble in the 25-14 home loss on October 18, so the unit now works with unusual balls in practice to get ready for that look again.

The night has one more storyline: owner Jeffrey Lurie will be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame at halftime.

What comes next

After Dallas, the Eagles visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 1, at 8:20 p.m. EST. The Cowboys host the Arizona Cardinals that afternoon at 1 p.m. EST.