Copyright yardbarker
As expected, the team is being cautious with linebacker T.J. Edwards and it's the smart move. Holding him out another week gives Edwards 17 more days to fully recover from his hamstring injuries with the hope being that he can suit up in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. It sucks, but it's the best decision long-term. It seems like Kyler Gordon will get a chance to go, but I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up inactive for the same reason.The other starters out are veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and right tackle Darnell Wright. With Jarrett out, expect to see second-round rookie Shemar Turner get more action on the interior of the defensive front. Turner was active for the first time in Week 3. As for being without Wright, it could be a bit more complicated to replace him on the starting front. Theo Benedet or Ozzy Trapilo? What's the plan at RT against Maxx Crosby? With Wright officially out for Week 4, the door is open for second-round offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo to be active for the first time in his career after being a healthy inactive each of the first three games this season. However, Theo Benedet will be the one likely getting the start.Benedet has appeared in all three games this season totaling 27 snaps as the swing tackle and briefly stepping in for Wright in Week 3 when he left the game and eventually returned due to the same elbow injury. The former undrafted free agent held up well in his limited work at right tackle, especially in a clutch two-minute situation. But, that doesn't mean Trapilo won't see the field. With Benedet in as the starter, Trapilo will more than likely serve as the swing tackle and sixth offensive lineman, which we could see used more often on the right side to help protect against Maxx Crosby, whom Ben Johnson said can "wreck drives" while also helping on the left side as well. It's a situation the coaches eventually knew would come when it pertains to playing Trapilo this season. “He’s getting better every day,” Johnson said of Trapilo last week. “I just made a comment to the O-line coaches this morning about how much better he looks in the individual and some of the run stuff that we’re doing on Wednesdays in pads. He’s really showing up. So, he’s coming along. And there will be a point this season where he’s playing for us. Is that this week or a few weeks down the road? I don’t know, but he’s preparing as if he’s ready to go.”
