NBC Sports Philadelphia initially reported on the Eagles’ first injury report of Giants week, which included both positive and negative news.
As the club started getting ready to play the Giants on Christmas Day, the Eagles saw the return of a few key players to practice on Thursday, but several more did not show up.
To start the week, there is undoubtedly some good and bad news.
The whole Thursday injury report is available here:
Did not take part: LB Knee: Zach Cunningham; thumb: LG Landon Dickerson; LB CB Darius Slay (knee), CB DeVonta Smith (knee), and Nicholas Morrow (abdomen)
Complete: CB Avonte Maddox (pectoral), RG Cam Jurgens (pectoral)
Prior to Thursday’s practice, the Eagles activated Maddox’s 21-day practice window, and it was a pleasant surprise to see him fully participating. Since Week 2, when he sustained a pec injury that required surgery, Maddox has been placed on Injured Reserve. It would seem that Maddox has a chance to return to the field on Monday afternoon given that he was a full participant at the start of the week.
The Eagles will need to make room on the 53-man roster and activate Maddox if he is able to participate in the match.
Furthermore, the fact that Jurgens participated fully in Thursday’s practice is quite encouraging. Due to his pectoral injury, Jurgens was unable to play in last week’s match; Sua Opeta took his place. However, due to surgery on his thumb on Wednesday, Landon Dickerson will not be available for the Eagles on Monday. It will be interesting to watch if Opeta or youngster Tyler Steen takes Dickerson’s place at left guard.
The Eagles’ probable offensive lineup versus the Giants is as follows (from left to right): Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens, Opeta/Steen, and Jordan Mailata
Furthermore, the fact that Jurgens participated fully in Thursday’s practice is quite encouraging. Due to his pectoral injury, Jurgens was unable to play in last week’s match; Sua Opeta took his place. However, due to surgery on his thumb on Wednesday, Landon Dickerson will not be available for the Eagles on Monday. It will be interesting to watch if Opeta or youngster Tyler Steen takes Dickerson’s place at left guard.
The Eagles’ probable offensive lineup versus the Giants is as follows (from left to right): Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens, Opeta/Steen, and Jordan Mailata
Without both of their starters for the majority of the season, the Eagles are in a difficult situation at linebacker. Cunningham was not seen throughout the first part of Thursday’s practice, but Morrow was. And Cunningham was absent from the Seahawks game. Shaq Leonard and Ben VanSumeren are the only linebackers on the 53-man roster who are healthy enough to play off-ball.
Smith, 25, sustained a knee injury in Seattle on Monday. Despite his small stature, Smith has an extremely resilient frame. In his career, Smith has participated in 48 games.
