Banged Up ‘Backers

The Philadelphia Eagles’ Friday injury report remains the same prior to the Christmas Day matchup against the New York Giants.

Left guard Landon Dickerson (thumb), cornerback Darius Slay (knee), wide receiver DeVonta Smith (knee), and linebackers Zach Cunningham (knee) and Nic Morrow (abdomen) were absent from practice for the second consecutive day.

Dickerson and Slay are both recovering from surgery and will likely be ruled out tomorrow.

While the Eagles have depth at most positions, the absence of both starting linebackers in Cunningham and Morrow would be devastating to the thinnest position group on the team. Shaquille Leonard, signed less than three weeks ago, and undrafted free agent Ben VanSumeren are the only off-ball LBs currently on the 53-man roster. 22-year-old Brandon Smith is on the practice squad but has yet to be elevated for a game this season.

Cam Jurgens (pectoral) practiced fully for the second day in a row, as did cornerback Avonte Maddox (pectoral). The Eagles would have to open up a roster spot if Maddox, who has been on injured reserve since Week 3, is ready to return to game action.

The opposing New York Giants’ biggest injury concerns currently lie on the defensive line, where starters Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) and Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee) have missed two straight days of practice, as well as kicker, where the team continues to shuffle through multiple injuries.

Another kicker change for the #Giants: They’re signing veteran Mason Crosby to their practice squad, sources say. He’ll kick for them on Christmas Day against the #Eagles. Cade York is headed to practice-squad IR after aggravating a leg injury in practice this week.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 22, 2023

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.