Eagles Face Defensive Challenges as They Prepare to Host Dolphins
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles will have to face the Miami Dolphins’ high-powered offense without two of their starting defensive backs. Safety Reed Blankenship and nickel cornerback Bradley Roby have been ruled out for Sunday’s game and will be officially inactive.
Blankenship is dealing with a rib injury while Roby is nursing a shoulder injury. Their absence will undoubtedly be felt as the Eagles look to contain the Dolphins’ No. 1-ranked offense.
In addition to Blankenship and Roby, several other players have been declared inactive for the game. Quarterback Tanner McKee, running back Rashaad Penny, tight end Albert Oakland, defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, and outside linebacker Patrick Johnson will also be sitting out.
However, the Eagles will have some reinforcements on the defensive side. Cornerback Darius Slay is set to return after missing last week’s game due to a knee injury. Rookie safety Sydney Brown, who has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a hamstring issue, will also be back on the field.
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who missed the game against the New York Jets with an ankle injury, will be making his return as well. Offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who left last week’s game in the first quarter with an ankle injury, has been cleared to play.
To add some depth to their roster, the Eagles have elevated wide receiver Julio Jones and defensive back Mekhi Garner from their practice squad. Both players will be active for Sunday’s game.
Jones, a future Hall of Famer, will be making his debut for the Eagles this season. Despite being the NFL’s active leader in receptions and receiving yards, Jones has yet to step foot on the field in 2023.
Garner, a rookie cornerback out of LSU, filled in as a safety last week and will likely serve as a backup behind Terrell Edmunds and Sydney Brown in this game.
The Eagles will have their work cut out for them as they try to contain the Dolphins’ potent offense without key defensive starters. However, the return of Slay, Brown, Carter, and Johnson, along with the addition of Jones and Garner, should provide some much-needed support.