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 surgery.
With the news starting to trickle out, here are takeaways and observations.
Is this the end for Maddox?
Maddox is a key contributor to the defense, but he’s struggled to stay on the field in recent years.
He missed seven regular-season games due to injury in 2022, and has one year left on a three-year extension he signed in 2021.
Philadelphia always stays ahead of the curve, and Howie Roseman has suspended cornerback and return man, Isaiah Rodgers waiting in the wings.
The Eagles could save $7.5 million against the salary cap if they cut Maddox this spring and designate him a post-June 1, 2024, cut.
Injuries piling up at cornerback
The Eagles already are without Zech McPhearson, their new reserve at slot cornerback, who sustained a torn Achilles tendon during the preseason.
Mario Goodrich is essentially a rookie when it comes to game experience, and he learned on the job in Week 2.
James Bradberry suffered a concussion and he’ll return, but the Eagles are going to look at keeping their All-Pro healthy.
Potential replacements
Josiah Scott is on the Steelers practice squad, but he just suffered an injury, while free agents Bryce Callahan, and Byron Jones offer big names, but little production left in the tank.
Philadelphia will likely be best served rolling with young talent, or making a trade.
