What was Reed Blankenship supposed to do here?

Jake Ferguson bobbled a pass in the end zone, Reed Blankenship came flying in to break it up, and somehow got hit with an unnecessary roughness flag.

Technically, Ferguson was “defenseless,” but there has to be a better way to officiate these moments because it’s clear as day this wasn’t anything sinister.

Reed Blankenship Unnecessary Roughness:

Reed Blankenship was called for unnecessary roughness after delivering this hit to Jake Ferguson, who was ruled defenseless. pic.twitter.com/ZnyO1JmDK0

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 5, 2025

Blankenship didn’t launch himself like a missile. He didn’t go helmet-to-helmet. He just made a bang-bang football play while the receiver was juggling the ball on his way down. It’s almost impossible for a defender to pull out of that collision in real time.

What was Reed Blankenship supposed to do here?

This is a BEAUTIFUL hit from Reed Blankenship. The NFL is weak. pic.twitter.com/y4FEAmN0PZ

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 5, 2025

Instead, the Eagles got hit with 15 yards and Dallas got a free lifeline. That’s the problem with the way these rules are enforced. It really puts defensive players in impossible situations. You’re either supposed to materialize out of thin air or accept that doing your job will cost your team a penalty.

Nobody is saying we want to see headhunting brought back, but there has to be some nuance. Plays like this shouldn’t be treated the same as a guy launching crown-first into someone’s jaw. Blankenship was making a football play, plain and simple.

If this is what the NFL is going to call every time, defenders don’t stand a chance.

More from the Eagles 24-20 win over the Cowboys

• Eagles already battling injuries in Week 1, Landon Dickerson headlines list
• Snap Counts: Jordan Davis steps up, Campbell shines
• Adoree Jackson is cooked already
• Eagles weather the storm, beat Cowboys 24-20 in opener
• Jalen Carter spits himself right out of the Eagles opener
• Miles Sanders came through for Philly, just in a different uniform

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