Maddox, Elliott out for Sunday’s game; Slay, Seumalo to return; Mailata is ‘doubtful’

Posted on October 7, 2022

Three injured Eagles players will not play Sunday against the Cardinals, the team announced Friday afternoon.

Starting nickel back Avonte Maddox (ankle), kicker Jake Elliott (right ankle) and linebacker/special teams ace Patrick Johnson (concussion) will miss the game for the 4-0 Eagles.

Starting left tackle Jordan Mailata (shoulder) is listed as doubtful to play. Mailata, whose spot was filled admirably by Jack Driscoll last Sunday against the Jaguars, expressed hope Thursday that he would be able to play. He did not practice Friday.

Cornerback Darius Slay was a full participant in Friday’s practice and the Eagles said he is “good to go” Sunday. Right guard Isaac Seumalo was a limited participant in practice but the Eagles said he will return to action Sunday.

Rookie linebacker Kyron Johnson (concussion) was a full practice participant but is questionable to play.

Running back Boston Scott (rib), who missed the Jaguars game, was a limited participant in practice. He is questionable to play Sunday.

DICKER TO KICK

Cameron Dicker will kick in place of Pro Bowler Elliott. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was asked how a team evaluates a player’s mental toughness to make a clutch kick.

  • “You go through the same or very similar process to when you go through the draft as far as toughness, mental toughness – all those different things,” Sirianni said before Elliott was declared out for the Arizona game.
  • “He was kicking and we put him through a couple different things that tested and showed that for us.
  • “I know there’s a big game this weekend between Oklahoma and Texas, and I know he made a big-time kick in that game and that’s one of the bigger games obviously in college football.
  • “So, yeah, we were comfortable with that. If he’s got to play, we’re confident in him.”

Mailata hurt his shoulder when awkwardly trying to make a tackle on a pick-six thrown by Jalen Hurts. Sirianni was asked if there is a coaching point for his offensive players when they suddenly become defensive players after a turnover.

“Let our defense play defense and stop them from getting in the end zone, by all means,” Sirianni said.

“So, I think I need to do a better job of coaching the tackling of the offensive guys. And for Jordan right there, [the] simple coaching point is get to your back when you dive for a leg. I said to him, I go, ‘That’s my fault. I didn’t coach you this way.’

“He said to me, ‘I’ve been playing rugby my whole life, I knew that wasn’t what I was supposed to do.’ ”

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Chuck Bausman

Chuck Bausman is an Eagles writer for Iggles.com. Chuck formerly was the Executive Sports Editor of the Philadelphia Daily News and the Executive Sports Editor of the Courier-Post in South Jersey. He learned how to cuss by watching Philly sports.

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