PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles hoped for the best but prepared for the worst with nickel cornerback Avonte Maddox, who, as it turns out, suffered a significant hamstring injury the night of Nov. 3 in Houston.
The Eagles moved Maddox to injured reserve Monday, which will keep him on ice for at least four games. The soonest the veteran of five seasons can return to practice is Dec. 11 when the Eagles play the New York Giants (7-2) at the Meadowlands.
Cornerback Mario Goodrich (6-0, 190) was promoted from the practice squad but Josiah Scott got the first shot at replacing Maddox, the unsung player in the secondary with one interception, one forced fumble, 27 tackles and three passes broken up.
Scott was challenged early as he broke up a pass on third down. He has seven tackles and one pass breakup in seven games with the Eagles this season, including two starts.
In the wings are Andre Chachere (6-0, 200), who had two tackles in appearances this season against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals and Goodrich, who had five interceptions in four seasons at Clemson ending in 2021.
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Defensive tackle Jordan Davis is eligible to come back from a high ankle sprain Dec. 4 when the Eagles host the AFC South leading Tennessee Titans (6-3). The 6-6, 345-pound nose tackle was still hobbling about the locker room last week.
The Eagles chose not to elevate practice squad defensive tackle Marvin Wilson Monday, leaving Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Milton Williams and Marlin Tuipulotu to do the heavy lifting at that position against the Commanders.
Cornerback Josh Jobe (hamstring) was scratched Monday along with Ian Book, Trey Sermon, Josh Sills and Sua Opeta.
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The Commanders didn’t activate edge rusher Chase Young (ACL) from injured reserve after all. Though he hasn’t played in over a year after reconstructive surgery, a return is anticipated next week.
The Commanders scratched running backs J.D. McKissic and Jonathan Williams, cornerback Rachad Wildgoose, linebacker David Mayo, tight end Cole Turner and guard Chris Paul.
Elevated from the practice squad were linebacker Nathan Gary, who played four seasons for the Eagles, and running back Jared Patterson.
Gary had three interceptions and 3.5 sacks with the Eagles.
Active was defensive end Casey Toohill, a 2020 seventh-round pick of the Eagles out of Stanford.
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Alex Kemp and his crew officiated Commandeers-Eagles. Entering the game the Commanders were 0-5 all-time with Kemp and his whistle on the field.
The Eagles were 1-1 with Kemp blowing the whistle.
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Next up for the Eagles are the Indianapolis Colts, now coached by Jeff Saturday, who played 14 years at center and most recently was a TV analyst.
Blasted by critics for a lack of coaching experience, Saturday basically told them what they could do with their invective as he and the Colts hit the road to defeat Las Vegas, 25-20, on Matt Ryan’s 35-yard pass to Parris Campbell with 5:07 left. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 147 yards and one TD for the Colts.
Saturday played 13 seasons for the Colts from 1999-2011, winning a Super Bowl in 2007. He was hired when owner Jim Irsay fired Frank Reich, offensive coordinator when the Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII and mentor of Birds head coach Nick Sirianni,
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NOTES >> Jason Kelce made his 131st straight start for the Eagles. Kelce exited after the first series to get his left foot re-taped. … Carson Wentz and his broken finger made the trip to Philly. … Wide receiver Jahan Dotson, the first-round pick of the Commanders, was back in the starting lineup for the Commanders. … Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham has a clothing line. It’s AmericanDreaminApparell.com and a portion of the sales got to Team 55, Graham’s charitable program. … Long ago Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel (2008-11) was the honorary captain. His son, Asante Jr., starts for the Los Angeles Chargers.