The Eagles are used to playing without Avonte Maddox over the past two seasons and they’ll go an indefinite amount of time without their slot cornerback in 2023.
Philadelphia is already down a starter at middle linebacker, and the team will lose their slot cornerback after he sustained a pectoral injury.
Buy Eagles TicketsIn Rapoport reports that Maddox will be out indefinitely and could miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery.
#Eagles DB Avonte Maddox will have surgery this week to repair a torn pec, sources say after an MRI and additional opinions. The injury will keep him out indefinitely, potentially for the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 18, 2023
Maddox underwent an MRI on Friday, and after receiving a second opinion, he’ll have the surger
With Maddox and McPhearson out, the Eagles to make at the slot cornerback and it could involve Mario Goodrich.
Rookie backup cornerbacks Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks are viewed primarily as outside cornerbacks, while a potential wild card could be athletic rookie safety Sydney Brown.
With Philadelphia yet to make a statement on the news, we’re looking at ten potential replacements for Maddox.
CB James Bradberry
Moving James Bradberry to the slot makes the most sense and keeps the Eagles defense at its strongest with Josh Jobe capable of providing strong play on the outside at cornerback.
Safety Sydney Brown
Brown is a versatile defender with a combination of size, speed, and ball skills that could make him the monster in the middle of a turnover-obsessed unit. His ability to take the ball away gives him the potential to be an interesting chess piece in Sean Desai’s scheme for the Eagles.
Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator would have to protect Brown in the passing game by avoiding man-to-man on elite talent, but it’s a move that makes sense and gets your best players on the field.
CB Mario Goodrich
The former Clemson cornerback played the majority of snaps at the nickel following Maddox’s departure. Goodrich spent the 2022 season on the practice squad and made the team’s 53-man roster last month.
Goodrich learned on the job Thursday night, and he knows the system.
Against the Vikings Goodwin logged 39 defensive snaps, including 35 coverage snaps.
Goodrich allowed six receptions, including one touchdown, on six targets.
CB Casey Hayward, age: 34
Hayward is a two-time All-Pro who has played in over 152 career games, logging 448 tackles, 112 passes defensed, and 25 interceptions.
CB Grant Haley, 27
Haley spent the first two years of his career with New York before stints with the New Orleans Saints (2020) and Los Angeles Rams (2021-22).
Last season, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound cornerback logged 129 defensive snaps over four games before an ACL injury ended his season.
CB Anthony Brown, 29
Brown appeared in 94 games (69 starts),with the Dallas Cowboys, logging 324 career tackles and 59 passes defensed, including 24 pass breakups.
Brown spent time on Pittsburgh’s practice squad this summer before being released.
Cameron Dantzler, 25
Dantzler signed a one-year deal with the Bills in June, but was waived with an injury designation.
Dantzler spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, playing in 35 games and starting 26.
Last season, Dantzler recorded 50 total tackles, five passes defensed, three tackles for loss and one forced fumble and fumble recovery in 10 games.
CB Bryce Callahan
CB William Jackson III
The Steelers traded for Jackson at the deadline last season in a deal with the Washington Commanders. The veteran cornerback never appeared in a game was placed on injured reserve with a back issue and never played a snap for the Steelers.
Jackson was a salary cap casualty, but could provide depth and experience if healthy.
CB Kyle Fuller
If fully healthy after tearing his ACL last September, Fuller could be an option with years of big game experience.
