It’s one thing when the Eagles lose a game to Dallas after being up 21–0. It’s quite another when they lose much, much more. Twenty-four hours after a loss that sent the Eagles spiraling into the #2 Seed in the NFC — three late-game defensive injuries are coming more into focus.
Rookie sensation at Safety Drew Mukuka has been reported with a fracture in his ankle and will undergo surgery — with a length of time for his return uncertain.
Selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft (2021) by New York — the 5 foot 10 one hundred eighty-four pound Carter. In September of 2024 — New York signed Carter to a three–year ($30.75) million contract extension that includes ($13.61) million in guaranteed money. The result was that he became the highest paid slot cornerback in the entire National Football League.
This season — Mukuba — who was the last rookie to sign a four-year contract worth $7,160,538, including $4,196,063 guaranteed money. The prospect of starting Mukuba is that his combination with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell would make the Eagles’ defensive backfield one of the youngest starting in the NFL. He joins that Eagles secondary that was the only team in NFL history to start two rookie defensive backs in the Conference Championship Game and subsequently — the Super Bowl.
The Eagles other Safety Reed Blankenship exited the game with a lower thigh injury and did not return. Sydney Brown played in his place in Dallas. The status on Blankenship for Friday’s game is unknown. But those two losses were not the only two in the Eagles secondary on Sunday.
Veteran cornerback Adoree Jackson suffered a concussion in the third quarter. With the Eagles playing on a short week — it is unclear whether or not either Blankenship or Jackson will be able to play.
If they cannot go — the Eagles will look for help in the secondary from Kelee Ringo, Michael Carter II, or Jakorian Bennett if he is healthy and back. Sydney Brown will be next up at the Safety position.
With the Rams looking overpowering against the Buccaneers on Sunday night — a loss on Friday against the Bears is not one that the Eagles can afford.
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