SATURDAY UPDATE
The Eagles have ruled out Albert Okwuegbunam and Zach Cunningham has been downgraded to doubtful. The Eagles have until 4PM EST to open up a roster spot for Avonte Maddox. I wouldn’t be surprised if Albert O is put on the IR.
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FRIDAY UPDATE
LANDON DICKERSON & AVONTE MADDOX
Landon Dickerson and Avonte Maddox were full participants on Friday’s practice again and neither have a game designation for Sunday. It looks like we’ll see the return of Maddox, which is great news for this defense.
ZACH CUNNINGHAM & NICHOLAS MORROW
Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow were limited participants in practice again, though Morrow doesn’t have a game designation while Cunningham is questionable. It looks like Morrow will play as well.
ALBERT OKWUEGBUNAM
Albert Okwuegbunam was added to the injury report as a limited participant with a questionable tag. He was a cut candidate to make room for Avonte Maddox to join the active roster, but Albert O popping up on the injury report looks like it might be some roster gymnastics.
DARIUS SLAY
As expected, Darius Slay has been ruled out for another game following his knee surgery. Hopefully he can make it back on the practice field next week.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Kyler Murray returned to practice. He’s questionable but Jonathan Gannon said he will play.
Marquise Brown and Jonathan Ledbetter have been ruled out.
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ZACH CUNNINGHAM & NICHOLAS MORROW
In Thursday’s practice session, both Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow were limited participants. This is great news for the Eagles as they have been stretched thin at linebacker this season.
Cunningham has been the Eagles best cover linebacker for the year and getting him back will be important for the defense down the stretch. Morrow had quietly put together two good games after his clunker against San Francisco.
Having either back will help communication on defense as both can wear the green dot for the defense. Reed Blankenship had to relay plays last week, and though he did a fine job, he admitted it was a bit stressful at times.
Both were limited however, so we’ll need to see if they are upgraded for Friday’s practice. The Eagles should be able to take care of business against the Cardinals without Cunningham and/or Morrow, but it would be nice if they could get at least one game of action before the playoffs start.
LANDON DICKERSON
Landon Dickerson looks like he’ll be back this week after having surgery on his thumb last week.
It will be interesting to see how his grip will be affected. Sua Opeta played well last week and the Cardinals don’t have much talent on their defensive front. Again, the Eagles should be able to win without Dickerson in case the Eagles want to give him another week to recover, but considering he was a full participant on Thursday, he’s probably going to get the start.
AVONTE MADDOX
Avonte Maddox has been a full participant in practice in back-to-back weeks now. The Eagles were likely giving Maddox time to acclimate last week after not wearing pads or a helmet since week two. I wouldn’t be sure that he starts this week, and Maddox has said that he’s not sure if he is playing this week. I would bet that he starts next week at the latest.
Avonte’s return would be huge for this defense. The Eagles have tried using several different options in the slot since Maddox went down. None have matched his blend of coverage skills and tenacity in the run and screen game. Bradley Roby has been okay in coverage, but team’s have really taken advantage of his lack of ability to get off blocks or tackle proficiently. A corner group of Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox and Kelee Ringo sounds pretty good going into the playoffs.
DARIUS SLAY
Speaking of Big Play, Slay hasn’t practiced since his surgery, logging his second DNP this week. Slay said he will be back by the playoffs, but he has one week left of the regular season. If he’s not practicing by next week, there will be some real concern that he won’t actually be ready for the postseason. Like with Cunningham and Morrow, it would be nice if Slay experience game action before the playoffs start. Something to keep an eye on.
ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Arizona Cardinals have a much bigger injury report than the Eagles.
Kyler Murray hasn’t practiced this week with an illness, but he should be able to take the field considering he still has three more days to rest up. Head coach Jonathan Gannon expects Murray to play. Still, missing practice time is never ideal and we saw the Eagles run a very limited playbook against the Seahawks when Jalen was dealing with an illness that caused him to miss practice time and travel separately from the team.
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has missed both practices this week and that would be a big loss for the Cardinals as he leads the team in targets and is second in receiving yards. Brown’s time in Arizona may be over as he is due to be a free agent this spring.
On defense, Zaven Collins returned to practice in a limited fashion. He is listed as a linebacker but he’s an edge player for the Cardinals and is second on the team in pressures and tied for third in sacks. He has played the most snaps on their defensive front. We’ll have to see if he is able to log a full practice before the game.
Jonathan Ledbetter has missed two practices in a row. He is second in snaps on their defensive line and fourth on the team in pressures. Being without Collins and Ledbetter would be tough for a Cardinals team that already lacks talent on their defense.
Victor Dimukeje was limited for the second practice in a row after missing last week’s game. He is second on the team in sacks and third in pressures.
