The Philadelphia Eagles didn't draft Cooper DeJean for him to be a backup or developmental prospect, and just hours before the home opener on Monday Night Football, the former All-America

The second-round draft pick is stringing together good practices, according to head coach Nick Sirianni, and could be ready to man the slot against the Atlanta Falcons.

DeJean was the starting slot cornerback in minicamp prior to a hamstring injury just before training camp that sidelined him three weeks. Getting a late start to camp had DeJean play catch up, jumbling the Eagles secondary by moving Quinyon Mitchell to the slot and Isaiah Rodgers as the starting outside cornerback opposite Darius Slay .

The Eagles will struggle to defend the middle of the field if Maddox plays in the nickel, so they need someone else to play that position. For now, they could move first-round rookie Quinyon Mitchell into the slot and start Isaiah Rodgers on the outside.

Cooper DeJean is going to be the Eagles’ full-time slot at some point. It seems inevitable. It’s just a matter of when.