3 Key Injury Updates Impacting the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles will be without their most accomplished defensive back when they face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Darius Slay, who has battled a knee injury in recent weeks, underwent arthroscopic surgery this week, per Adam Schefter.
Eagles’ CB Darius Slay underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this week and will be out Monday night vs. the Seahawks, but he is expected back by the end of the regular season, per sources. pic.twitter.com/9da29PqGWV
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2023
Additional updates on the status of quarterback Geno Smith and Eagles cornerback Avonte Maddox also surfaced on Saturday.
Darius Slay Injury
Slay has no definite timetable for his return. The earliest date the Eagles could play a playoff game is Jan. 13, just about a month after the surgery took place.
The Eagles have struggled to defend the pass in recent weeks. Nick Sirianni said on Saturday he believes the right reserve players are in place. However, he did not commit to a replacement in the starting lineup. Josh Jobe has started three games in 2023 as the primary backup option as an outside cornerback. Kelee Ringo played more snaps than Jobe last week, however.
Return of Avonte Maddox
The Eagles will activate the 21-day practice window for Maddox, per Tim McManus. The former Pitt Panther has missed the last 11 games with a torn pec.
He has been somewhat of an unsung hero in the slot in recent seasons. The Eagles have struggled to defend the middle of the field without him in the lineup. Bradley Roby, James Bradberry, and Eli Ricks have taken the majority of the snaps as the slot corner in his absence.
Maddox played 16 of 17 regular-season games in 2021, the only one of his six NFL seasons when an injury didn’t hold him out of the lineup for a significant amount of time.
A healthy Avonte Maddox could be a huge boost in the playoffs for an Eagles secondary that desperately needs it.
Geno Smith Update
Adam Schefter spoke on The John Kincade Show during his weekly Wednesday appearance about Smith’s status. The Seahawks will list their veteran quarterback as questionable.
If Geno Smith can’t start Monday night, Drew Lock would. https://t.co/9WoB1Mkd6A
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2023
Drew Lock has completed 26 of 43 passes in limited action this season. Seattle lost 28-16 to the San Francisco 49ers in his only start of the season in Week 14.
Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 15 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Quez Watkins
Wide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020Dallas Goedert
Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Sua Opeta
Right Guard, #78
Weber State University
4th NFL Season, Signed Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (November 2019)Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nicolas Morrow
Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Shaquille Leonard
Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)Kelee Ringo
Cornerback, #22
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season, Drafted in 4th Round (105th Overall) in 2023James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Bradley Roby
Cornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
