Late Scratch is a chance to keep Eagles’ Quinyon Mitchell where he belongs

The Eagles drafted Quinyon Mitchell as an outside cornerback, which is where the 22nd overall pick belongs, something even defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has noted several times.

That said, Fangio appeared ready to put his best trio on the field against the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The idea was that Mitchell would start opposite Darius Slay when only two cornerbacks were needed, with the rookie sliding inside when a nickel corner was added. Veteran Isaiah Rodgers would then rotate at right cornerback.

However, Rodgers was officially ruled out with a hand injury following Thursday’s walkthrough at Corinthians Stadium.

Rodgers has been dealing with the problem, skipping a few training sessions after the number of participants was initially reduced to 53. He has been training again on a limited basis this week in preparation for the flight to South America.

Before the trip, Rodgers said he was “looking forward to playing” against the Packers this week.

“”It’s just a testament to all my hard work,” Rodgers said. “So grateful for the opportunity. I want to come out here and have fun. I’m really looking forward to running out of the tunnel. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

Rodgers was suspended last season for ignoring the NFL’s gambling policy while with the Indianapolis Colts.

Fangio could deploy several options in Rodgers’ absence. The most obvious option is second-year cornerback Kelee Ringo, who would be brought in for Rodgers’ expected role after spending most of the summer eyeing that role.

There is also some speculation that Fangio should keep Mitchell at the outside cornerback position opposite Slay and use either the veteran Avonte Maddox or rookie Cooper DeJean in the slot position.

My gut feeling is that the Eagles should proceed with caution with Rodgers, partly as a precaution and partly as a game plan, given that three of the Packers’ top receivers are well over 6-foot-1, including Christian Watson (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), Romeo Doubs (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and Dontayvion Wicks (6-foot-5, 200 pounds).

At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Jayden Reed is Green Bay’s small playmaking wideout, still taller than Rodgers, who is 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds. For an outside CB, that’s a very small frame.

The silver lining may be that Ringo is a better fit for the 6-2, 207 Packers. The silver lining, if there is one, is that Mitchell stays where he is long-term.

The Eagles can continue with Maddox until DeJean gets up to speed for his expected home game this season, the final one.

Despite his limited height, Rodgers has played exclusively as a winger this summer and may also need to do some indoor cross-training.

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