PHILADELPHIA — A wild week at the linebacker position has put an undrafted rookie in the spotlight.

With Zach Brown out of the picture and Nigel Bradham (ankle) sidelined, T.J. Edwards could be asked to start during the Eagles’ Week 7 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Edwards, who has played just 12 defensive snaps this season, received a glimpse of his potential role during Week 6’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound rookie played outside linebacker during the fourth quarter of the 38-20 blowout.

While the game was out of hand, Edwards finally got the opportunity to feel out the speed of a regular-season matchup.

“Finally just getting out there with meaningful time, with live bullets, and just seeing it all happen really, it was good to get back out there,” Edwards said Wednesday after practice at NovaCare Complex.

Edwards produced four tackles in 10 plays. Three of those stops came against the run.

“It is a tough situation when you go out there due to injury, particularly being a young player because you have no practice reps,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Tuesday. “But he was up to the task.”

Edwards has experience playing a major role on defense.

At the University of Wisconsin, Edwards started 52 games, a mark that is second all-time in the notable program’s history. He produced 367 career tackles in college, which is a Top 10 tally for the school.

If his name is called Sunday against the Cowboys, Edwards’ teammates have faith that he will be able to step up.

“T.J. is definitely ready,” fellow linebacker Nathan Gerry said following the first practice of the week. “He’s far ahead of the [rookie] linebackers since I’ve been here.”

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If Bradham were to miss the Week 7 matchup, Gerry and Kamu Grugier-Hill would serve as the team’s three-down linebackers. Edwards would probably top the list as the Eagles’ third starting linebacker in base formations.

Following the surprising release of Brown on Monday, Edwards could be thrust into a major role.

“I’ve kind of learned that this is how the business works,” Edwards said, referring to Brown’s release. “You never really know what’s going to happen, so you have to be prepared at all times to fill a role.”

Edwards would be the “next man up” because of how he has handled himself in practice and games since arriving in Philadelphia.

“He has been physical, he has been a sure tackler, and he has been assignment sound,” Schwartz said. “Those are all three good things to be said about a linebacker. He has made steady progress through training camp to preseason, and then regular season in games that he was thrown out there due to injury.”

Edwards played inside linebacker throughout his time at Wisconsin. He lined up as the third-string middle linebacker throughout most of training camp this summer.

He has experience as a signal-caller in the Eagles’ defense, which will help him if he is asked to play middle linebacker on Sunday.

“Obviously, I don’t have the experience and everything like that,” Edwards said, “but I’m definitely confident with what’s going on.”

Edwards believes communication and confidence are the two most important aspects of playing middle linebacker. Despite his inexperience, Edwards has a work ethic that has earned him the respect of his older teammates.

“I know what type of player he is,” Gerry said. “He’s going to come to work and he’s always going to be ready.”

If Gerry gets the call to play middle linebacker, Edwards will need to adapt to a relatively new position. The rookie said he feels comfortable on the outside.

“I’m ready to play any position it may be,” Edwards said.

If Edwards is asked to play a major role in the Eagles’ defense against the Cowboys, he will be expected to execute at a high level.

So far, the rookie has shown that he can shine when given the opportunity.

Said Schwartz: “All that kid has done, when we put him in the game, is make the plays that have come to him.”