The Philadelphia Eagles have just three defensive tackles on the roster heading into Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, raising questions about what Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz have in store on the defensive interior. Philadelphia has just Fletcher Cox, Haloti Ngata, and Treyvon Hester on the active roster for Sunday, with Cox and Ngata as the starters.

Hester will be the No. 3 defensive tackle, earning playing time over Vaeao after a standout performance in limited snaps against the New York Giants.

Where does this leave Timmy Jernigan going forward? Jernigan is eligible to come off the reserve/non-football injury list, but that doesn't appear to be this week as Pederosn said Jernigan is not ready to practice yet.

"Tim just keeps progressing and you know, we're hopeful and optimistic, and at the same time we want to make sure he's healthy and you know, his whole demeanor with us to put him back on the field is first," Pederson said.

"Right now, we do have a plan, but I'm not going to disclose the plan obviously. I've talked to Jim (Schwartz) and (defensive line coach) Chris (Wilson) and we feel comfortable with that plan. I would say that Ngata is getting close, day-to-day, getting better and we'll see where he's at this week."

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If Jernigan does start practicing, the Eagles will have three weeks to activate him. Jernigan will be on a clock once he's back, as the Eagles will either have to activate him, place him on injured reserve, or release him if he's not ready to play.

If Ngata can't go Sunday, the Eagles will have a defensive tackle lineup with just Cox and Hester, a major issue for the defensive line. The Eagles could move Michael Bennett or Brandon Graham inside, but the two have a combined 27 snaps at defensive tackle this season.

Since Bennett isn't a starter, he would be the obvious choice to fill that defensive tackle role.

While Bennett has played the majority of his career at defensive end, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks have moved him inside on occasion throughout his nine-year NFL career. Philadelphia easily can slot him inside next to Cox for more playing time.

If the Eagles choose to move Bennett inside, they won't be short on the edge. Philadelphia already has Graham and Derek Barnett as the starters with Chris Long as a valuable third down pass rusher. The Eagles also have Josh Sweat as another pass rusher, should they choose to keep Bennett on the inside for third down situations.

Hester could very well get the start for Ngata if he's ailing Sunday. He played just 15 snaps in last Thursday's win over the Giants, having two pressures (quarterback hit and hurry) with two stops. To compare, Ngata and Vaeao had just seven combined pressures are season.

Pederson said the Eagles will continue to develop Hester as he will be getting more snaps. The Eagles will stick to their plan at defensive tackle, which right now consists of Cox, Hester and an ailing Ngata.

Stay tuned.