Eagles injury update: Several key Eagles miss practice again

In an effort to get ready for Monday Night Football against the Seahawks, the Eagles returned to the practice field on Friday. However, three important starters were absent.

 

For the second day in a row, practice was postponed by linebacker Zach Cunningham (knee), right guard Cam Jurgens (pectoral), and cornerback Darius Slay (knee).

 

Jurgens was there, but he was just watching. He saw the offensive line workouts with reporters present as

veteran Sua Opeta rotated between Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson at right guard.

When Steen was on injured reserve earlier in the season, Opeta started four

games; however, rookie Tyler Steen ended up starting the final game versus

Dallas prior to the bye week. But now that he’s healthy, Opeta is set to start in

case Steen is unable to play this week. Should Jurgens be unable to participate

on Monday, this will mark his sixth game missed in 2023.

Opeta has participated in 34 games over his career, making 8 starts. Opeta was

first signed by the Eagles in 2019 as an undrafted free agent from Weber State.

 

We’ll see what transpires with Slay, who missed the first two days of last week’s action before showing up on Friday to

take part in the match. Nevertheless, the Eagles have dropped Slay’s injury

designation from last week, along with the phrase “resting player.”

 

Josh Jobe, Kelee Ringo, and Eli Ricks are some of the young players the Eagles

have available if Slay is unable to participate. Without Slay, though, it

would be a difficult game for the Seahawks, who have three very good

receivers in D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Shaq Leonard, a recent addition to the Eagles, should play a lot more in his second game if Cunningham is unable to

play. The Eagles gave Leonard 14 snaps in a rotation with Cunningham and

Nicholas Morrow against the Cowboys to get his feet wet. The Eagles would

probably start Leonard and Morrow in Cunningham’s absence, with rookie

UDFA Ben VanSumeren serving as their primary backup.

Another injury to note from Friday’s practice was Reed Blankenship’s ability to play for the second day in a row

despite suffering a concussion. after having an additional day before Monday

Night Football, Blankenship may be able to avoid the NFL’s concussion protocol

after suffering a concussion in the second quarter against the Cowboys.

 

The Eagles haven’t ruled out Avonte Maddox (pectoral) making a comeback

during the postseason, despite the player being on injured reserve since Week 3.

On Friday, Maddox was observed training with a trainer on a side field:

The Eagles were getting their return guys ready for Monday night’s game in Seattle, where there’s a chance of rain. Aaron Moorehead, the receivers coach, sprayed the air in front of Britain Covey and the other returners while they fielded punts. The Eagles appear to play in the rain frequently; they have done this a lot this season.