Eagles DE Derek Barnett Reportedly Underwent Sports Hernia Surgery

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett reportedly had sports hernia surgery earlier this offseason.

Per Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com, the procedure was done shortly after the Eagles defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4. Barnett's estimated recovery time was six weeks, with Kempski noting he's likely healed by this point.

The Eagles drafted Barnett with the 14th overall pick in 2017. The former Tennessee star, who recorded 52 tackles for loss and 32 sacks in three college seasons, notched five sacks in 15 regular-season games as a rookie.

He recorded two sacks in a 34-24 win over the Washington Redskins on Oct. 23 and another two in a 37-9 beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 19.

In the NFC Championship Game, he strip-sacked then-Minnesota Vikings QB Case Keenum in the red zone. And in the Super Bowl, Barnett recovered a fumble from Tom Brady in the fourth quarter after a Brandon Graham sack.

One reason the Eagles were able to ease Barnett into the rotation was their deep stable of defensive linemen in Graham, Fletcher Cox, Chris Long and Timmy Jernigan.

The Eagles added to that group, acquiring Michael Bennett in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in March, though Barnett will likely be counted on to play a bigger role in his second season.