Tuesday Injury Report
Safety Reed Blankenship said he got kneed in the hamstring while making a tackle in the third quarter of Sunday’s game in Dallas, which caused him to exit the game. Blankenship tried to build up the confidence to be able to run despite the injury, but didn’t want to be a burden to the rest of the defense.
Blankenship said on Tuesday that the injury is a “little sore, but it’s part of (football).” He would have been a limited participant if the Eagles practiced on Tuesday. The team held a walkthrough.
While Blankenship is on track to return for the Black Friday matchup against the Chicago Bears as Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio said he expects Blankenship to play, the safety will have a different tag-team partner in Sydney Brown after rookie Andrew Mukuba suffered an ankle injury on the final drive of the game. Brown entered the game after Blankenship went down.
“I’m just owning my role and doing what I need to do to be successful,” Brown said. “It’s going to be amazing. It’s what I came here to do. I’m just embracing the opportunity for what it is. I feel horrible for Drew. He’s been having a great season so far. Doing a really good job in the secondary as a safety. I hate to see that as a young player. I can relate to him because I went through it. I know what he’s going through is a tough process, but he’s going to get through it and he’s going to be back.”
Mukuba would not have practiced on Tuesday and Head Coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday that the rookie will “be out for some time.”
Safety isn’t the only position worth monitoring in the secondary.
Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson would have been a full participant on Tuesday, but he’s under the gameday concussion protocol evaluation. If Jackson is not cleared ahead of the Black Friday game, the Eagles have several options at their disposal. After the injury occurred on Sunday, Cooper DeJean was moved from the nickel to outside cornerback and Michael Carter II played in the slot.
Carter played his most extensive reps on defense (25) since being acquired just before the trade deadline from the Jets.
“He’s very, very smart. He can play any position,” Blankenship said of Carter. “In the meeting room, he’s asking high-level questions and that’s what you want. He’s only been here for a couple of weeks and it feels like he’s been here for a long time just based off what he’s asking and what he’s doing on the practice field. If he has to play a lot, we’re very confident in that.”
Four other Eagles, in addition to Mukuba, would not have practiced on Tuesday: punt returner Xavier Gipson (shoulder), defensive end Brandon Graham (groin), tackle Lane Johnson (foot), and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (shoulder/chest).
Eagles Injury Report
WR/PR Xavier Gipson (Shoulder)
DE Brandon Graham (Groin)
T Lane Johnson (Foot)
S Andrew Mukuba (Ankle)
WR DeVonta Smith (Shoulder/Chest)
RB Saquon Barkley (Groin)
S Reed Blankenship (Thigh)
G Landon Dickerson (Knee)
T Myles Hinton (Back)
CB Adoree’ Jackson (Gameday Concussion Protocol Evaluation)
G/C Willie Lampkin (Knee/Ankle)
*The Eagles held a walkthrough on Tuesday, so the injury report is an estimation.
