Eagles Welcome Back Starter But Steelers Without Two Important Players

Many people have been so caught up in the drama swirling around the Philadelphia Eagles this week, an important storyline has flown under the radar heading into this Sunday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

While most of the media has been asking questions about Quarterback Jalen Hurts and Wide Receiver AJ Brown, the big news coming out of the Nova Care Complex this week is that all players on the Active 53-man roster participated in practice this week.

After sustaining a Concussion in Baltimore, Safety Reed Blankenship was forced to miss last Sunday's game. But his participation in practice this week is a good sign that he is progressing through the NFL's Concussion Protocol.

Another player who returned to practice this week was Safety Sydney Brown. The 24-year-old Safety sustained a season-ending Knee Injury near the end of the 2023 season and had a lingering Knee Issue that kept him out of last Sunday's game.

Eagles Welcome Back Starter While Steelers Rule Out Wide Receiver and Safety

The good news is Reed Blankenship has progressed through the NFL's Concussion Protocol and has been cleared to return this Sunday.  Also, Backup Safety Sydney Brown has been cleared to play against the Steelers and he will be contributing on Special Teams.

Wide Receiver Britain Covey is the only Eagles Player ruled Out for this Sunday. Philadelphia's Punt Returner and Slot Receiver was a surprise name on the list of players ruled out last Sunday.  Covey has been dealing with a Neck Injury and Doctors have not cleared him for contact.

The biggest name ruled out for the Pittsburgh Steelers is their number-one Receiver George Pickens. The 23-year-old Wide Receiver did not play in NFL Week 14 due to a Hamstring Injury. Pickens has 40 more Targets this year than any other Steelers player and since Russell Wilson became the starting Quarterback, Pickens is averaging 5 catches and 81 Yards per game.

Another Steelers player dealing with a Hamstring Injury who will be unavailable is Safety DeShon Elliott. In his first season playing in Pittsburgh, Elliott leads the team with 63 Solo Tackles and has played over 85 percent of the Defensive Snaps this season.

Aside from Brandon Graham who is out for the season with a Torn Triceps Injury, the Eagles Defense is back to full health with all of their starters available this Sunday. "BG" has the third-most Sacks in Eagles' Franchise History. Here are the Top Ten Pass Rushers in team history: