In the absence of quarterback Carson Wentz, it's fair to say the best, and perhaps most important, player on the field Thursday night will be a 6-foot-4, 310-pound wrecking crew in the middle of the defensive line.
Fletcher Cox opens the new season with several specific goals for the team, and with one lofty personal goal: He wants to be named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. It's probable that the Atlanta Falcons, who come to town to kick off the regular-season schedule, would be willing to lend him a few votes.
When the Eagles started last postseason, also against the Falcons, Cox might have had the best game of his entire career, which is saying something.