BALTIMORE — Not everyone loves to play in preseason games.

The Eagles’ 16-13 win over the Ravens on Friday won’t be a moment that most players cherish. But Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who was all smiles after the game, had a different experience than his teammates.

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Rodgers was suspended the entire 2023 season for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. He tweeted on Friday morning that it had been 19 months, 85 weeks and 592 days since he last played.

“Every now and then, I type in that date (that I last played),” Rodgers told reporters. “I remember that date because that’s also the day I got hurt as well. I actually googled it this morning and seen exactly how long it was. I thought it was shocking.”

Rodgers is competing against Kelee Ringo for the starting spot across from Darius Slay. After three weeks of practice and one preseason game, it seems that Rodgers has the edge over Ringo.

Slay didn’t play against the Ravens, so that gave Rodgers, Ringo and rookie Quinyon Mitchell more opportunities to shine. When the Eagles played in their base defensive package, Rodgers lined up on the outside with Mitchell. The Eagles also pulled Rodgers out of the game before the rest of their cornerbacks, which is a telling sign that he’s earned a big role.

Even though the momentum is swinging in his direction, Rodgers knows the battle is far from over with two preseason games left and a joint practice against the New England Patriots next week.

“Nah. Q (Quinyon Mitchell) had an opportunity for an interception today, Kelee as well. A lot of guys made plays out there today,” Rodgers told NJ Advance Media when asked if he’s the front-runner to win the cornerback competition. “It just adds fuel to the fire and everybody’s got to keep continuing to keep their head up and keep going to work.”

Rodgers played his first three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and made 10 starts in two years. He finished with 90 tackles, three interceptions and forced four fumbles and made an impact as a kickoff returner.

After he got released by the Colts last summer, the Eagles were the only team to express interest in him, Rodgers told reporters during OTAs.

His NFL career was in jeopardy after making a big mistake. So Rodgers shared his story at the Eagles’ seminar on NFL gambling rules this summer to let his teammates know it wasn’t worth it.

Now, he will get the opportunity to redeem those past mistakes.

“It was hard,” Rodgers said about his emotions during the game. “I went out there earlier and just took it all in. I finally embraced the opportunity to finally just be out here and run around and have fun with the guys and just finally play football again.”

“I am just a whole different person on and off the field. The person I was in 2022, I know I’m way past that guy,” Rodgers added.

Rodgers’ teammates could tell how much the moment meant to him.

“(The moment) was big,” Mitchell said about Rodgers’ return to the NFL. “He was happy. He was smiling. He got his feet wet. He was a baller out there.”

The way Rodgers prepared for the Ravens’ game was different from his normal routine. He listened to music and talked on facetime with his son and daughter before it started.

Rodgers’ kids have helped him on his journey back to the NFL.

“It’s good. It keeps me going,” Rodgers said about their support. “They are my reasons why I’m still here and continue to perfect my craft.”