Jalen Mills Activated from PUP, Will Play for First Time in Nearly a Year

Eagles cornerback should give struggling secondary a boost

USA Today

Jalen Mills was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list on Saturday afternoon, and he said he will start in Sunday night’s game for first place in the NFC East at the Dallas Cowboys.

The last time Mills played a game was on Oct. 28, 2018 in London’s Wembley Stadium. It was in that game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in which Mills suffered a foot injury. Never in his wildest dreams did he believe it would be nearly a year before he would play again.

“It was hard for sure,” said Mills. “I never had to sit this long with an injury. So it was hard. Now that I’m out there, I’m excited and I’m trying to bring some energy.”

While Mills said he would start, that decision is up to the coaches, and, as of Friday, they weren’t committing to that.

The Eagles’ pass defense could certainly use a boost. It is ranked 29th-heading into Sunday night’s game and has allowed 13 touchdown passes in six games.

The game in Arlington will represent a homecoming of sorts for Mills since he is from DeSoto, Texas, though he played collegiately at LSU before being taken by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

He was a starting cornerback on the 2017 Eagles team that won Super Bowl LII.

“Just go out there and do my job,” said Mills when asked what he can bring to a struggling secondary. “I’m not going out there trying to be a superhero, not trying to make any kind of amazing plays. Whatever (Jim) Schwartz (defensive coordinator) calls, I’m going to line up and do my job and compete like my teammates and my coaches know I can.”