Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this week, leading to his absence in Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, according to coach Nick Sirianni’s announcement on Saturday. Although Sirianni didn’t specify a timeline for Slay’s return, sources close to the situation informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the cornerback is likely to make a comeback by the end of the regular season.
When asked about Slay’s replacement, Sirianni chose not to disclose details but expressed confidence in the team’s depth, stating, “We’ve got the right guys in place.” Among the potential candidates are rookie Kelee Ringo and second-year player Josh Jobe.
Darius Slay has been a standout performer in the Eagles’ secondary, contributing significantly with two interceptions, one of which resulted in a touchdown and 14 pass breakups. Despite Slay’s individual success, the Eagles currently rank 28th in pass defense, having allowed 29 touchdowns through the air, the second-highest in the NFL.
There’s potential relief on the horizon for the struggling pass defense, as cornerback Avonte Maddox is set to return to practice next week. Maddox, who landed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral in September, is expected to rejoin the lineup later this season.
Switching gears to the offensive side, quarterback Jalen Hurts missed Saturday’s practice due to illness. While he is anticipated to travel with the team and play on Monday, the Eagles are taking precautions to prevent the spread of illness among the players.