Eagles bench J.J. Arcega-Whiteside for rematch vs. Giants | 3 thoughts on what it means

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s forgettable tenure with the Eagles took another disappointing turn on Sunday, as the former second-round pick was listed as a healthy scratch for the team’s Week 10 matchup against the Giants.

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With Alshon Jeffery returning to the lineup, Arcega-Whiteside and sixth-round rookie Quez Watkins were held out of the matchup in the Meadowlands. Watkins’ absence was predictable, as he had been a healthy scratch previously, and he has yet to catch a pass in the NFL.

However, Arcega-Whiteside’s inactive status was a new red flag for the 57th overall pick in last year’s draft. His benching comes just two weeks after he played five snaps in the Week 8 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

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So far this season, Arcega-Whiteside has caught two passes for 45 yards. Despite playing in 23 career games, Arcega-Whiteside has been outproduced as an Eagle by emerging wideout Travis Fulgham in just five games. Fulgham’s surge has made Arcega-Whiteside expendable, as the former plays the same position.

That said, fifth-round rookie John Hightower is also playing instead of Arcega-Whiteside. While that is likely due to Hightower’s speed and role as the backup Z receiver behind Jalen Reagor, if Arcega-Whiteside was producing, he’d be active. Reagor and Fulgham can both play all three wide receiver positions, which would accommodate Arcega-Whiteside’s lack of versatility.

Here are three thoughts on Arcega-Whiteside’s benching vs. the Giants:

The bust label is here to stay

Arcega-Whiteside was selected ahead of young standouts, D.K. Metcalf and Terry McLaurin, last year. The constant comparisons have been exhausted by fans and media alike. Arcega-Whiteside’s Week 10 status confirms the Eagles also think that move was a clear mistake. The Eagles selected three wide receivers in April’s draft, which served as an appetizer for this eventual benching. Arcega-Whiteside is the biggest bust of Howie Roseman’s second tenure as GM, and the wide receiver has only been on the team for a year and a half.

A vote of confidence for Ward and Hightower

The Eagles clearly view Ward and Hightower as bigger assets to the passing game than Arcega-Whiteside. Ward is entrenched as the top slot receiver, while Hightower has become an inconsistent, but encouraging deep threat. While Reagor and Fulgham are clearly the primary targets at the position, Ward and Hightower could be long-term pieces for a team destined for a rebuild in the near future.

Jeffery could be ready to rock immediately

After missing the first eight games of the season, the Eagles are going to play Jeffery against the Giants. Despite the nagging injuries and trade rumors, the Eagles have positioned Jeffery to be a key role player during the second half of the season. With Arcega-Whiteside dispensed as the No. 2 X receiver, Jeffery should have a decent role in Week 10 and beyond. Whether he starts or not, Jeffery will be counted on to contribute with five wide receivers active on Sunday.

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