October 14, 2024
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Colleen Claggett/For PhillyVoice
Eagles CB Darius Slay helps make a tackle during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Browns. Slay had to leave the game in the second half due to injury.
The Eagles got healthy with the bye week then no sooner got banged up again with Sunday's 20-16 win over the Browns.
In the short term, they got by – barely against maybe the worst team in football, and when it comes to Nick Sirianni, with unwarranted arrogance.
In the long term, they might be down several starters heading toward next week's road game against the division rival Giants.
The injury report later in the week as the Eagles return to practice will paint a better picture of what they're dealing with, but for now, here's what's known following Sunday's game...
Goedert was the third-down target on the Eagles' opening offensive drive, but after Browns defensive back Rodney McLeod broke up the pass along the left sideline, the tight end went into the blue medical tent and then to the locker room alongside trainers soon after.
The Eagles announced later that Goedert had suffered a hamstring injury and was questionable to return. He was seen back on the team's sideline still in uniform, but never got back on the field and was eventually downgraded to out.
Grant Calcaterra did well stepping up in Goedert's place, making four receptions for 67 yards, which included the big 34-yard gain on a block and release that eventually led to A.J. Brown's second-quarter touchdown catch.
Still, this potentially puts the Eagles down their lead tight end for a bit, though with the severity of the injury unknown for right now.
Using Brown's way back from his own hamstring injury as a baseline, however, Goedert could be looking at a 3-6 week recovery timeline, and that's without the advantage of the bye – that's if he misses time though.
MORE: The pivotal plays from the Eagles' win over the Browns
Slay went into the tent and then to the locker room in the second half, and like Goedert, started as questionable before getting downgraded to out entirely.
The Eagles posted the video of Sirianni's speech in the locker room after the game to their social media channels, and Slay can be seen in the background standing without crutches, so that seems like an encouraging sign.
Connection ✅
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 13, 2024
Accountability ✅
Details ✅
Toughness ✅
WIN ✅@novacare | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/cQbcVtRwD3
Should he miss time though, the Eagles do have options to rotate in at cornerback – more than they've had in a long time.
Second-year Georgia product Kelee Ringo is right behind Slay on the cornerback depth chart, Isaiah Rodgers is an option, too, or if the Eagles want to shift things around a little more, they could put Cooper DeJean at the spot and bring Avonte Maddox back to nickel corner.
DeJean took the first-team snaps at nickel corner on Sunday and held up pretty well with his first sack and some solid pass coverage. His ability to cycle through every position in the defensive backfield while in college was one of his key selling points heading into the draft though, so maybe the Eagles can afford to play with that versatility a bit to see what happens.
Here's the real concerning one.
Mailata went down in the fourth quarter and had to be carted back to the locker room. He was ruled out, mostly because it was so late into the game, but afterward, he was seen on the field in crutches and with a full sleeve on his left leg.
This was #Eagles LT Jordan Mailata walking off the field after spending time with some of the other players and family members. Mailata was ruled out with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Fred Johnson. pic.twitter.com/tU6LGGkJ0J
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) October 13, 2024
It'll have to be seen how long he'll be out, if at all, but the sleeve and crutches don't bode well.
MORE: Eagles win in a game that provides more questions than answers
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