Philadelphia Eagles Darius Slay, Nick Morrow, Avonte Maddox in The 'We'll-See' Club With Injuries

The Philadelphia Eagles defenders, all important parts on that side of the ball, gave a familiar response when asked if they might be able to play against the New York Giants - "we'll see."

PHILADELPHIA – They are part of the we’ll-see club, as in, “Hey, Slay, Morrow, Maddox…you guys playing ball on Christmas Day?”

Friday’s injury report listed cornerback Darius Slay and linebacker Nick Morrow as not participating. They are two key pieces to a Philadelphia Eagles defense that will try to help snap a three-game losing streak when Philly hosts the New York Giants on Monday (4:30 p.m./FOX).

As for Avonte Maddox, he was listed as a full participant, but the slot cornerback has missed three months so jumping right back into the lineup after having his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve opened earlier in the week might be asking a lot.

My opinion - Morrow plays, but Maddox and Slay do not.

You decide after reading this:

Avonte Maddox talks to reporters for the first time after having surgery to repair a torn pec muscle suffered in Week 2. He had his 21-day practice window opened and has been a full participant in practice for the past two days :: Ed Kracz/SI Eagles Today

“We’ll see,” was primarily the response from those three when asked about their gameday status.

“We’ll see how I feel (Saturday),” said Morrow. “It’s getting better. It’s one of those things where you don’t know what you’re going to feel until you get out there and run around and see how it feels. We’ll be all right.”

Morrow said he suffered an abdomen injury during the third quarter of the game in Seattle last week while covering a punt. He said it felt like somebody punched him in the stomach, though nobody had.

Linebacker Zach Cunningham’s knee has also prevented him from practicing this week. If neither Morrow nor Cunningham can play, the Eagles will start Shaq Leonard, who has been here all of two weeks, and Ben VanSumeren, an undrafted free agent who has played special teams but has yet to take his first defensive snap.

If Morrow cannot play, it could be Leonard who wears the green dot communication device inside his helmet to relay plays. It’s a big ask for a player who only signed with the Eagles two weeks ago.

“I feel good about things, learning each day, trying to get better and better, talking to the coaches, talking to the players, trying to understand the lingo and the technique-style they play,” said Leonard on Friday.

Morrow said that new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has done a good job simplifying things a bit, so communicating what is being run shouldn’t be as challenging for Leonard should he have to shoulder that responsibility.

“He’s a six-year pro, so he can handle it,” said Morrow. “It’s not something he hasn’t done, so we’ll see.”

As for Maddox and Slay, the two cornerbacks would be a welcome addition against the Giants.

Slay missed last week’s game in Seattle after having arthroscopic knee surgery.

Why Matt Patricia is Better Equipped to Handle Eagles' Expectations

“I don’t know the timetable,” he said when asked when he could return. “But it was something that needed to be done. I’ve been getting away with it for four years. It was 2019 since I was traded here. But I’ve been going through it every day. A little Advil and then get it going, but finally Advil ain’t working.

“I’ve been playing on probably like a 30 percent leg for two years. I’m feeling better.”

Asked if he could return before the playoffs, Slay said: “We’ll see how it goes. But like I said I am feeling good. I’m progressing in the right direction. We’ll see how it goes.”

Maddox said he feels good. His conditioning though could be the issue. Because he had pec surgery, he was able to do cardio, but football conditioning is another story.

“I don’t know what’s going on this week with me,” he said, “so I’m just taking it day by day.”

So, we’ll see.