Eagles' Jalen Carter: 'That S--t Was Crazy' When Cooper DeJean Hit Derrick Henry

If there weren't already 31 general managers kicking themselves for passing on Cooper DeJean in the 2024 NFL draft before Sunday, they certainly were after watching the Philadelphia Eagles rookie spear Derrick Henry into the ground in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter perfectly summed up DeJean's star-making moment while speaking to ESPN's Tim McManus.

"If you missed that, go replay your TV. That s--t was crazy," Carter said. "That was a good-ass hit from my boy."

Henry has made an entire highlight reel of burying defenders in the ground with a stiff arm, but he found himself on the receiving end of a truck stick from DeJean.

The play occurred midway through the fourth quarter with the Ravens trailing 21-12 and facing a third-and-11 from their own 39. Henry caught a checkdown pass from Lamar Jackson, but DeJean immediately closed in and drove him into the turf.

Despite being regarded as a first-round talent in the 2024 draft, DeJean slipped to No. 40 when the Eagles traded up with their NFC East rival Washington Commanders to take the Iowa cornerback.

The Eagles slow-played things with DeJean early in the season, partly because he dealt with a hamstring injury during the preseason. He only played eight defensive snaps in the first four regular-season games.

Since DeJean was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 6, the Eagles rank first in nine different defensive categories.

Not all of these numbers are specifically because of DeJean, but he is certainly playing a key role for a defense that has dramatically improved compared to what this unit looked like at the end of last season when they were getting steamrolled by quarterbacks like Drew Lock and Tyrod Taylor.

The Eagles have rattled off eight consecutive wins and enter Week 14 with a 10-2 record. They are only one game behind the Detroit Lions for the best record in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

DeJean and the Eagles will go for their ninth straight win on Sunday when they host the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field.