Eagles-Giants Week 18 injury report, with analysis

The Philadelphia Eagles just faced their Week 18 opponent, the New York Giants, in Week 16, but both teams have some new injuries to report.

Here's the Eagles-Giants injury report, with analysis:

Wednesday notes:

• Smith's injury isn't believed to be serious.

• Davis went down against the Cardinals, and Jalen Carter played the nose while he was out. Marlon Tuipulotu was (oddly) a healthy scratch for that game.

• If the Cowboys win as expected, the result of this matchup is meaningless, so the team may as well be cautious with Slay, Maddox, and Cunningham.

Thursday notes:

• Maddox and Cunningham are trending toward playing, given their full participation on Thursday.

Friday notes: 

• Smith and Slay are out. This will be Smith's first missed game of his career. My understanding is that while the Eagles are trying to win this game — as in, not rest starters — they are making sure Smith and Slay are are healthy as possible for the playoffs.

• Cunningham will make his return to the field. I didn't think anyone thought they would think, "Thank God Zach Cunningham is back."

• Swift was a late addition with an illness.

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 a couple weeks ago. He graduated to crutches and a walking boot last week. 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:

• The Giants are banged up in their secondary, and as noted below, they have a bunch of offensive linemen on injured reserve.

• Taylor is expected to start at quarterback.

Thursday notes:

• No noteworthy changes.

Friday notes: 

• The Giants will be a little thin in their secondary with Banks likely out, and Pinnock out. 

• Michael-Schmitz is ranked 36th out of 36 centers, per PFF (🧂), so he's not exactly a world beater, but the Giants need him, given the high number of offensive linemen on IR (as noted below).