Eagles Down Four Starters vs. Giants
If the Philadelphia Eagles were hoping to use Week 16’s contest against the New York Giants as a “get-right” game, the latest injury report won’t help them. In its last practice before a Christmas Day matchup against their NFC East rival, the Birds ruled out four starters with injuries – three of them coming on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Zach Cunningham, guard Landon Dickerson, and corners Avonte Maddox and Darius Slay were listed as OUT for the Eagles. Linebacker Nicholas Morrow was deemed QUESTIONABLE with an abdomen injury.
Should Morrow not go, the Eagles would be without their starting linebacker duo and will expect to turn Shaquille Leonard and undrafted free agent Ben VanSumeren against a Giants offense ranked 15th against the run.
In the secondary, Maddox had his 21-day practice window opened up this week after suffering a torn pec in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Slay is still considered to be out “indefinitely” after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery for an issue the corner said he had since 2019. On the offensive line, the Eagles will start Sua Opeta in place of Dickerson as he recovers from thumb surgery. Philadelphia did receive good news on Saturday when Pro Bowl wide receiver DeVonta Smith made his way to the practice field following a knee injury. The third-year veteran made it clear that he would be playing.
On the Giants’ side, Big Blue ruled out tackle Evan Neal and defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches on their end. All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is questionable with a hamstring injury although he was able to practice on Saturday. Philadelphia and New York will face off for the 182nd time in league history on Christmas Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 at Lincoln Financial Field.
