2 min read • January 15, 2024
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Although Philadelphia has several high profile injuries to watch, including to quarterback Jalen Hurts and No. 2 wide receiver DeVonta Smith, their main health disadvantage is on the defensive end.
Hurts should be able to throw effectively despite his middle finger injury because he has an index finger dominant grip. Smith, on the other hand, will not have his usual cutting ability given the fact he is just three weeks removed from a right high ankle sprain.
He will have it taped for extra stability, but our panel of docs don’t expect he will be able to creat his usual separation on routes.
Starting free safety Reed Blankenship is questionable for the game with a groin injury he suffered in Week 18. He did not practice all week and it will be tough for him to play effectively through the likely multi-week injury.
Also in the secondary, No. 2 cornerback Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox will be back in the lineup but likely not at full strength after missing time late in the season. Slay is back this week for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in December. Maddox has worked his way back from the pec tendon tear he suffered in mid-September.
He has played limited snaps the past two weeks as the slot cornerback, but may be asked to play safety in the Wild Card round with Blankenship likely out and rookie safety Sydney Brown out for the season with a torn ACL.
Philadelphia also has a key absence at middle linebacker, where veteran addition Shaq Leonard was signed to fill the gap left by Nakobe Dean’s foot injury. Leonard unfortunately has not been the same this season after undergoing two back surgeries in five months.
Those cumulative injuries in the secondary drop the Eagles defensive score to 83.7, well below the Buccaneers’ offensive score of 93.7.
With a completely healthy defensive 11, the Buccaneers’ main health concern lies with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield suffered a minor right ankle injury in the team’s Week 18 win. He remained in the game and likely did not do much new damage because it was a reaggravation of a November ankle sprain he also played through.
The No. 1 pick may have limited mobility outside the pocket, but he can play through effectively as a pocket passer. In 17 games this season, Mayfield set career highs in passing yards (4,044), touchdown passes (28), completions (364), attempts (566) and completion percentage (64.3%).
He has done that all season without starting center Ryan Jensen and slot receiver Russell Gage.
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