Eagles nearing full strength to begin NFC playoff run
The Eagles are set to face the Giants in the season finale, and after blowing any shot at the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, they’ll likely travel to an NFC South foe not yet known in the Wild Card round.
Unlike last year, Philadelphia will spend the next ten days working out the kinks of inconsistency on both sides of the football as they enter the postseason playing like a team looking towards the offseason.
Nick Sirianni says he believes DeVonta Smith, Darius Slay and Zach Cunningham and all players will be able to play Sunday in the regular season finale pic.twitter.com/bCgVFcjugn
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 3, 2024
There are injury concerns to monitor, two assistants who could be replaced, and an offense that needs to regain efficiency in the running game.
With preparation for the wild card round set to begin, Philadelphia is nearing full strength ahead of the divisional round.
Darius Slay (knee)
Slay recently missed his third game in a row following arthroscopic knee surgery.
The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback is expected to return to action before the regular season concludes, and he’ll provide the biggest jolt of energy to a beleaguered secondary.
Through 12 appearances this season, Slay has recorded 57 tackles, 15 pass breakups and two interceptions.
Zach Cunningham (knee)
Cunningham has missed the previous two games due to the injury.
Cunningham has 80 tackles in 12 games this season, which is second on the team behind safety Reed Blankenship (84).
Nicholas Morrow (abdomen)
After missing a game due to an abdomen injury, Morrow finished Sunday’s 35-31 loss to the Cardinals with a game-high 14 tackles (nine solo).
Morrow was one of three Eagles defenders to finish with double-digit tackles Sunday.
Morrow has 84 tackles (59 solo), including 3.0 sacks, four passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries over 14 games this season.
Landon Dickerson (Eagles)
Dickerson missed the first win over the Giants after having thumb surgery, but returned to the lineup for Philadelphia’s loss to Arizona.
A Pro Bowler at left guard, Dickerson’s a major asset for the Egales going forward.
Avonte Maddox (Pectoral)
The Eagles added Maddox to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s Week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Maddox was placed on the Injured Reserve list after leaving the Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings with a pectoral injury.
In his 84 defensive snaps before getting hurt, Maddox logged eight tackles, had two pass defenses, and forced a fumble.
His presence in the slot makes things comfortable for Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the outside.
