Eagles-Cardinals Week 17 injury report, with analysis

The Philadelphia Eagles are getting healthier as the regular season winds down. They only listed five players on their initial injury report this week. Here's the Eagles-Cardinals injury report, with analysis.

Wednesday notes:

• The Eagles' linebackers are getting healthier, as Cunningham and Morrow practiced on Wednesday, even if they were limited.

• Maddox had a big wrap on his left pec/shoulder in the locker room prior to practice. He was unsure if he will play on Sunday.

• Dickerson's full participation is a good sign that the Eagles will have their full starting offensive line intact.

• Slay remains out. Will Kelee Ringo playing well in his absence, it's maybe best if the Eagles just save Slay for the postseason. 

Thursday notes: 

• No changes.

Friday notes:

• It feels like the next time Slay plays will be in the playoffs.

• If the Eagles activate Maddox from IR, Okwuegbunam feels like a candidate to go on IR.

Saturday notes:

• The Eagles downgraded Cunningham to doubtful, which means that the starting linebackers will likely be Nicholas Morow and Shaq Leonard.

• Okwuegbunam was downgraded to out. Oh yeah, you can bet he's going on IR.

Update: Okwuegbunam was indeed placed on IR, and Maddox was added to the 53-man roster from IR.

Notable players on IR, PUP, suspension, etc.

• LB Nakobe Dean: Entering the 2023 season, Dean was the clear No. 1 linebacker on the roster, as the team was counting on him to take on a much bigger role than what he had as a rookie in 2022. That has not gone to plan, as he landed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury Week 1 against the Patriots. He returned Week 6 and played in four games before again suffering a foot injury that landed him on injured reserve for a second time this season. When he has played, Dean has been fine as a run defender and as a tackler (PFF has him down for 0 missed tackles), but he has struggled in coverage. PFF has him down for 13 completions on 14 targets for 120 yards. 

Dean was seen on a Roll-A-Bout in the locker room last week. This week he graduated to crutches and a walking boot. He's likely done for the season.

• S Justin Evans: Evans was the Eagles' choice to start opposite Reed Blankenship to begin the 2023 season, as he beat out Terrell Edmunds and Sydney Brown during training camp for that opportunity. He started four games for the Eagles, and when healthy, was a competent player. He landed on IR with a knee injury, lost his starting job when the Eagles traded for Kevin Byard, and reverted to season-ending IR when he was unable to make progress toward a return.

Wednesday notes:

• Brown is second on the team with 574 receiving yards, and he leads the team with 4 receiving TDs. Deep threat.

• Collins is a starter. 37 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT.

• Ledbetter is also a starter. 46 tackles, 1.5 sacks.

• Murray did not practice, but it's only an illness. He should still be good to go for Sunday.

• In addition to a bunch of LBs and iDLs on their injured reserve (shown below), the Cardinals have some linebackers and linemen on their injury report. They're really banged up in the heart of their defense.

Thursday notes: 

• The only change was that Collins practiced.

Friday notes:

• Brown was placed on injured reserve. His season is over.

• Murray's questionable status is interesting. He'll likely play, but he has barely practiced with the team all week. That's not ideal for preparation purposes.

Sunday notes: 

• Murray is expected to play, per the national guys.