With Eagles Desperate For A Win, Help Could Be On The Way For Defense
PHILADELPHIA – While losing two games in a row, the Eagles have watched their injury list grow as their season threatens to spiral out of control:
Tackle Lane Johnson is out with an abdominal injury; cornerback Avonte Maddox has a toe injury; defensive end Josh Sweat suffered a frightening neck injury last Sunday; running back Miles Sanders has a balky knee; and, of course, the Eagles are hoping quarterback Jalen Hurts returns from a sprained shoulder on Sunday to rescue the NFC’s No. 1 seed, which is at stake in the regular-season finale against the Giants.
But maybe things aren’t as desperate as they look. Key reinforcements could be on the way: The Eagles opened 21-day practice windows on safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, defensive end Robert Quinn and offensive lineman Brett Toth Wednesday, allowing them to practice and rejoin the roster in time for Sunday’s game and the playoffs.
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Gardner-Johnson has not played since Week 12, when he lacerated his spleen while making a tackle against the Green Bay Packers. While Reed Blankenship and K’Von Wallace have filled in admirably, they haven’t matched Gardner-Johnson’s ability to create turnovers. Despite missing five games, Gardner-Johnson remains tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with six.
Gardner-Johnson also has had an impact on run defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he has lined up in the box 161 times and is ninth on the team with 14 tackles on running plays. His return can only help a defense that already ranks No. 1 in the NFL in overall yardage (302.6) and passing yards (181.3) allowed per game. Against the rush, the Eagles have allowed 121.3 yards per game, which ranks 18th.
Quinn, whom the Eagles acquired from the Chicago Bears for a 2023 fourth-round pick, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery before his presence could be felt: He had 18.5 sacks for the Bears in 2021, but had only two quarterback hits for the Eagles before being sidelined. Toth is a versatile lineman who can play tackle, guard and center.
Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick said having Gardner-Johnson and Quinn back will strengthen the defense.
“It would be major,” Reddick said. “In C.J., you are talking about a guy who has made big plays for this year because he is always around the ball. When you talk about Rob, he is a guy who has a lot of veteran experience and can come in and help us in a lot of ways.
Getting them back would be major and would be a big morale boost for the team as well. It would give us some key players that could come in and make some plays for us.”
The formula has worked for the Eagles, have had at least six sacks in each of the past five games and are four sacks from tying the NFL single-season team record of 72, held by the 1984 Chicago Bears.
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