Reed

Blankenship

Blankenship was in the final year of his deal but will now be under contract through 2025. The former UDFA from the 2022 class has appeared in 25 games for the Eagles over the last two years and started in all 15 games he appeared in last season. In his brief career, Blankenship has totaled four interceptions and one fumble recovery and earned a PFF coverage grade of 78.0 last season.

Blankenship is in danger of missing the Eagles’ Wild Card game against the Buccaneers with a groin injury. He missed practice on Saturday and head coach Nick Sirianni said he would be a game-time decision. If Blankenship cannot go, Avonte Maddox is likely to step up in his place.

Blankenship took the brunt of an attempted tackle attempt to the head in the second quarter of the team’s Week 14 game against the Cowboys. He was removed from the game by the independent neurologist and was ruled questionable to return.

Cornerback Bradley Roby is also set to miss Week 7. The Eagles’ defense has fallen from grace this year and a nightmare run of injuries in their secondary has been one of the biggest culprits. Expect Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins to pick on Philly’s backups in the secondary this week.

Safety Reed Blankenship is also out for Week 2. Though the injuries to Philly’s secondary should make life easier for Kirk Cousins, he is entering Thursday Night Football with a banged-up offensive line and is facing one of the league’s most terrifying-front sevens. It could still be a long night in primetime for Cousins.

Safety Reed Blankenship and running back Kenneth Gainwell also missed practice with a rib injury, while LB Nakobe Dean (foot) and CB James Bradberry (concussion) were held out with various ailments. The Eagles host the Vikings on a quick turnaround when the two teams square off on Thursday Night Football in Week 2.

He was carted off after not being able to put any weight on his left leg. The undrafted free agent safety started in Week 13 and played major snaps in Week 12. K’Von Wallace replaced him. This had the look and the sound of an extended absence for the rookie.

Pelissero said Gardner-Johnson, who was carted off in Sunday night’s win against the Packers, won’t require surgery and could return late in the regular season or in the postseason. Losing Gardner-Johnson is a blow to a top-end Philadelphia secondary graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s sixth best this season. Undrafted rookie CB Reed Blankenship will take over as the team’s primary slot corner.

Blankenship (6'1/203) finished with three forced fumbles and 110 tackles to go along with being voted first-team All-C-USA in 2021. He plays well in zone and can come in downfield to disrupt the pass. He also has some experience playing in the nickel as an extra blitzer. His tackling is top-notch, and he has shown ball skills with eight interceptions in his first three seasons. His skills could warrant a roster spot on special teams and as a backup safety.

Sterns (5'9"/195) put together an all-time season in his one year at the FBS level. He combined with Bailey Zappe to break a multitude of records, eventually ending up with a ridiculous stat line of 150 catches, 1902 yards and 17 touchdowns. He might not be the biggest or fastest guy out there, but his production was absolutely undeniable, and there is a place for guys that just get open and produce no matter how they do it, just ask Cooper Kupp. For the guy that won the receiving triple crown at the FBS level (led the FBS in receptions, yards and touchdowns) to be snubbed is a bit ridiculous. Draft Bible’s Robert Gregson also listed Nebraska’s Samori Toure, Oklahoma State’s Tay Martin, Middle Tennessee State’s Reed Blankenship, Alabama A&M’s Aqeel Glass, Sacred Heart’s Julius Chestnut and Lenoir-Rhyne’s Dareke Young.