Eagles Rule OUT 3 Defensive Players For Sunday’s Game versus Jets

The Philadelphia Eagles look to stay undefeated when they play the New York Jets but they will be without three starters on defense for this Sunday's game.  The Eagles will be on the road again for the second straight week when they have to travel to North Jersey to face a Jets team that cannot be overlooked.

On Friday, the Eagles announced they have ruled out four players for this Sunday's game and listed two other players as Questionable.  Two of the three defensive players ruled out are Cornerback Darius Slay and Safety Justin Evans, both did not participate in any practices this week.  Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni told the media that the Knee Issue that Slay is dealing with is not a long-term concern and that he should be back on the field soon.  Rookie Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter, who sprained his ankle at practice this week, is the third defensive player ruled out for Philadelphia.  The absence of Carter this Sunday will be offset by the return of Fletcher Cox, who missed last Sunday's game as he recovered from a Back Injury.

The biggest concern is about the state of the Safety position moving forward now that starter Justin Evans has been ruled out for his second game this season.  Evans will miss the next 4 because Philadelphia placed him on Injured Reserve and that leaves only three Safeties on the active roster.  Evans missed the Washington Commanders game with a Neck Injury and now he is dealing with a Knee Issue.  Rookie Safety Sydney Brown is listed as Questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Jets as he deals with a Hamstring Strain.  If Brown does not play, the Eagles' only Safeties will be Terrell Edmunds and Reed Blankenship.  Even though Philadelphia has Defensive Back Tristin McCollum on their Practice Squad, that is only one other player with legitimate experience at playing Safety going into Sunday's game.

The fourth player ruled out for the Eagles' Week 6 matchup with the Jets is Wide Receiver Quez Watkins.  After missing most of August's Training Camp with a Hamstring Issue, Watkins appears to have re-aggravated his injury and now will miss his third game this season.  Without Watkins, the Eagles Offense loses one of their big play threats in the passing game against a Jets' Defense with multiple Pro Bowlers on their roster.

The New York Jets also ruled out three defensive players for this Sunday's Game: Cornerback DJ Reed is in the NFL Concussion Protocol while Defensive Backs Justin Hardee and Brandin Echols are dealing with Hamstring Injuries.  With the lack of depth for the Jets' Secondary this Sunday, seeing All-Pro Cornerback Sauce Gardner listed as Questionable should make many Gang Green Fans nervous for a matchup with the Eagles Offense.  The Jets Defense is 22nd in the NFL in Total Yards Against and now without Reed on the field, that defense will have to face an Eagles Offense that has the second Most Total Yards.