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Eagles defensive back Jaylen Watkins (37) celebrates the tackle on Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (10) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014. (Lori M. Nichols | South Jersey Times)

(Lori M. Nichols)

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles rookie defensive back Jaylen Watkins has yet to take a snap on defense and has only been active for three games this season.

With Earl Wolff headed to injured reserve, thus ending his season, both of those facts could be about to change for Watkins.

The Eagles' fourth-round draft choice out of Florida had been practicing exclusively at cornerback throughout his first season, but head coach Chip Kelly said this week that the team plans on experimenting with him at safety. Watkins played both positions at Florida.

"I picked up everything that I needed so far," Watkins said Friday of his position change. "It's just about getting more reps right now. I'll definitely take on a bigger role at safety. That's what I did in college."

Kelly lauded Watkins' versatility on draft day because of his ability to play anywhere in the defensive backfield as well as contribute on special teams.

"He works. He's probably ahead of his time with his work ethic and just the way he approaches things," Eagles safety Nate Allen said of Watkins. "He plays corner, a little bit of nickel and now he's working in at safety. He's had a lot on his plate and he's taking it all in."

Watkins says that he's just been caught in a numbers game this season, which led to him being inactive for seven of the Eagles' first ten games this season. The games he was active for came when Wolff and Allen were sidelined with injuries.

"It's going good," Watkins said of his rookie season. "I'm getting to learn a lot from the vets. We have a really good team as a secondary. It's just about me waiting for my time to get on the field and helping the team any way I can."

Those contributions may take on a more tangible form, especially with the Eagles now paper thin as far as depth at safety.

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