Darius

Slay Jr.

This is a tough break for Panthers pass catchers. The Eagles now field one of the best CB corps in the NFL, with Slay side-kicked by Quinyon Mitchell on the perimeter and Cooper DeJean manning the slot. Backup CB Isaiah Rodgers is a starter-worthy talent.

Slay missed Week 13 with the concussion after failing to return to practice at any point in the week. Even a limited session on Wednesday would put him on track to return for Week 14. Safety Reed Blankenship suffered a concussion of his own on Sunday and did not practice today. He will likely miss Philly’s upcoming matchup with the Panthers.

Slay didn’t practice on Friday before being ruled out, meaning he remains in the early stages of the league’s concussion protocol. Isaiah Rodgers is in line to start in Slay’s place this week. Rodgers has two pass breakups and one forced fumble this season.

The Eagles defense will be shorthanded against Jacksonville, missing Slay — who sustained a serious groin injury in Week 8 — and McCollum. They’ll also be without Dallas Goedert, who continues to miss time with a hamstring injury. Grant Calcaterra will again function as the team’s TE1 in Week 9.

Slay limped off the field in the third quarter of the Eagles’ Week 8 game against the Bengals, heading into the locker room. The Eagles listed him as questionable to return, though he was subsequently ruled out. Isaiah Rodgers, Cooper DeJean, and Quinyon Mitchell are the corners rotating into the game for the Eagles with the tall task of covering Ja’Marr Chase on the table. Rodgers deflected a Joe Burrow pass to Chase for a Chauncey Gardner-Johnson interception in relief of Slay.

Slay practiced in full on Friday so he appears more likely to play than truly questionable. The Eagles will need their No. 1 cornerback on-field against the Giants’ rising wide receiver corps.

This is great news for the Eagles’ top cornerback. His Week 6 exit was cause for concern but a quick bounce-back is evidently in order. Slay’s Wednesday participation puts him on track to play against the Giants.

Injured around halftime, the Eagles’ No. 1 corner has been replaced by Isaiah Rodgers. “Knee” obviously the injury designation you want to see, but this was not a carting-type event. Perhaps the Eagles will get good news on Monday. Stay tuned.

Slay missed a chunk of the season with a knee injury, playing in the Wildcard Round for the first time since Week 14. He was injured in the fourth quarter on what appeared to be a routine tackle on Buccaneers running back Rachaad White but stayed on the turf following the play clutching his side. The extent of the injury was not revealed but the cart had to be brought out for the veteran cornerback, indicating his night is likely done.

Slay underwent a knee scope before Week 15 and has been out for the following two games. With the Eagles almost certainly playing in the Wild Card round, getting healthy should be their top priority at this time. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them hold Slay out another week as the gear up for the playoffs.