Eagles’ Defensive Duo in Doubt for Giants Matchup

 

PHILADELPHIA – They’re part of our dating club, like, “Hey, Slay, Morrow, Maddox… are you playing ball on Christmas Day?” Cornerback Darius Slay and linebacker Nick Morrow did not participate, according to Friday’s injury report.

Those are two key pieces of the Philadelphia Eagles defense that will try to help snap a three-game losing streak when Philly hosts the New York Giants on Monday (4:30 p.m./FOX). As for Avonte Maddox, he was listed as a full participant, but the slot cornerback has been out for three months, so it could be a lot to ask after his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve earlier this week. .

My take – Tomorrow plays, but Maddox and Slay don’t. After reading this, you decide: Avonte Maddox speaks to reporters for the first time after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle in week two. He had a 21-day practice window open and participated fully in practice the past two days.Ed Kracz/SI Eagles Today Ed Kraczandsol;SI Eagles Today “We’ll see,” the trio said in particular when asked about their fight day status.

“We’ll see how I feel (Saturday),” Morrow said. “It’s getting better. It’s one of those things where you don’t know how you’re going to feel until you get out there and run around and see how it feels. We’re fine.” Morrow said he suffered an abdominal injury during a third-quarter tackle in last week’s game at Seattle. He said it felt like someone punched him in the stomach, even though no one did.

Linebacker Zach Cunningham’s knee also kept him out of practice this week. If Morrow or Cunningham can’t play, the Eagles will start Shaq Leonard, who has been here all two weeks, and Ben VanSumeren, an undrafted free agent who played on special teams but has yet to take his first defensive snap. If Morrow can’t play, it could be Leonard who uses the green dot inside his helmet to broadcast plays.

That’s a big ask for a player who signed with the Eagles just two weeks ago. “I feel good learning things every day, trying to get better and better, talking to the coaches, talking to the players, trying to understand the language and the technical style that they play,” Leonard said Friday. Morrow said new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has done a good job of simplifying things a bit, so the passing communication shouldn’t be as difficult for Leonard if he has to carry that responsibility.

“He’s a six-year pro, so he can handle it,” Morrow said. “There’s nothing he hasn’t done, so we’ll see.” As for Maddox and Slay, two cornerbacks would be welcome against the Giants. Slay missed last week’s game in Seattle after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.