November 26, 2015
Rick Osentoski/AP
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nolan Carroll (23) is carted off the field during the first half against the Detroit Lions.
It doesn't look like things are going to get much better for the Philadelphia Eagles secondary going forward.
Late in the first half -- somewhere between Matthew Stafford's second and third passing touchdowns of the game -- starting cornerback Nolan Carroll was carted off the field with an ankle injury. The Eagles later announced that his afternoon, and likely his season, are done after the veteran defensive back was diagnosed with a broken right ankle.
#Eagles injury update: CB Nolan Carroll was diagnosed with a broken right ankle.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 26, 2015
Rookie Eric Rowe was inserted into the lineup in place of Carroll, and on each of the next two Lions drives, quarterback Matthew Stafford made it a point to attack the young corner. He hit Calvin Johnson for a touchdown just before half, and then another on their first possession of the second half, putting the Lions up 31-7 over the Eagles.
It's hard not to feel bad for Rowe, who hasn't seen much time this season aside from special teams, as he was forced to cover one of the most dominant receivers in the NFL right out of the gate.
Carroll had been playing well this season for the Eagles, especially when you factor in that his salary cap hit of $2.5 million is less than a third of what his counterpart, Byron Maxwell will make this season. In ten-plus games this year, Carroll had 56 tackles and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
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