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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

10 potential replacements for Eagles injured slot cornerback Avonte Maddox

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.

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In Rapoport reports that Maddox will be out indefinitely and could miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery.

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

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

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

Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

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

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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

[Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]Jki 011423 Chargers Jags Cp 63
Injuries threatened Bryce Callahan’s career before a rebound 2022 season with the Chargers playing in the slot.

CB William Jackson III

Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

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

(AP Photo/John Munson)

If fully healthy after tearing his ACL last September, Fuller could be an option with years of big game experience.

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