Eagles Injury Report: Could This Versatile Defender Be Back vs. 49ers In NFC Championship Game?

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles could be getting a key defender back just in time for their final push toward the Super Bowl.

Starting slot cornerback Avonte Maddox, who has been out more than a month with a toe injury, was listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report ahead of Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the 49ers. Right tackle Lane Johnson was also limited, as he was early last week when he returned from an abdominal injury to play against the Giants, and appears to be on track to play.

 

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The Eagles had a walkthrough instead of a full practice, so those injury designations were an estimation of what Maddox and Johnson would have done in a full practice, but it was still a huge sign of progress for Maddox because he hasn’t participated in any practice since he was injured in the Dec. 24 loss to the Cowboys (including last week when the Eagles also had a walkthrough four days before their win over the Giants).

 

Maddox would be a valuable weapon against a 49ers offense that is particularly dangerous in the middle of the field. He’d surely match up against star tight end George Kittle and also play a key role in trying to stop the most dangerous run-pass threat in the game: running back Christian McCaffrey.

 

Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon also used Maddox as an edge rusher before he was injured against the Cowboys. So even if the 29-year-old Maddox isn’t 100 percent, coach Kyle Shanahan and rookie quarterback Brock Purdy will have to prepare for all that he brings to the table.

 

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Maddox has struggled with injuries all season long, playing only nine games. He missed two games in early October with an ankle injury and landed on injured reserve in November after suffering a hamstring injury in the Week 9 win over the Texans, missing the next four games. He missed the final two games of the regular season and the Divisional Round win over the Giants with his latest injury.

 

Johnson missed the final two games of the regular season with an abdominal injury, but returned to play against the Giants and impressed his teammates with his toughness and strong play. But the challenge gets much tougher this week with a defensive line that includes Nick Bosa, one of the best pass rushers in the game.

 

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said before practice that the injury situation was trending in the right direction.

 

“We’re expecting everybody to be doing stuff at practice [Wednesday],” he said. “So we’re hopeful that they’re going to be ready to go.”

 

And the practice report told that story, as Maddox and Johnson were the only players listed.

 

Meanwhile, the 49ers have some key players dealing with injuries. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ankle) and McCaffrey (calf) were among those who didn’t practice. But Shanahan said Wednesday that he expects them to be ready for Sunday’s game.

 

Here’s the full injury report for both teams.

Eagles:

Limited participation: RT Lane Johnson (groin), CB Avonte Maddox (toe)

 

49ERS:

 

Did Not Practice: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), RB Christian McCaffrey (calf), RB Elijah Mitchell (groin), WR Deebo Samuel (ankle)

Limited Participation: DE Charles Omenihu (oblique), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle)

Andy Vasquez:

nj.com