Call it a Conference Championship miracle, but Eagles’ Avonte Maddox may be back in time for Sunday’s game. Philadelphia’s slot cornerback has been out for the last month with an injury, but the Birds are hopeful to gain back one of their better players.
EAGLES HOPEFUL FOR THE RETURN OF AVONTE MADDOX
Professionally, Avonte Maddox has only known the Eagles. Philadelphia drafted the cornerback in 2018, and since then, he has become one of the league’s better slots.
This season, injuries have limited Maddox. In November he was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a hamstring injury against the Houston Texans. Returning four weeks later in December, he then suffered a toe injury against the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite the injury, Maddox has remained on the Eagles’ 53-man roster. Last Saturday, fans saw progress when the 26-year-old was seen at the Linc without his walking boot. Now, it’s likely he will return to practice this week.
“We’ll see,” Nick Sirianni said. “We’re hopeful, we’re hopeful. But he’s still got to go out there and run on the field and do drills.”
“It’s not something that we know quite yet because there’s some unknown of some of the football movements that he has to go out there and do. We’ll see. We’ll have more for you this week on that.”
Maddox’s return would be perfect timing for Philadelphia. Though his availability for this weekend’s game isn’t guaranteed, Maddox would be a beneficial addition to Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
In nine games this year, Maddox had 43 tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack, one interception, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Filling in for Maddox has been Josiah Scott. However, when Chauncey Gardner-Johnson returned after a lacerated kidney injury, Philadelphia’s interception leader took over the slot.
Time will tell. The Eagles will host the 49ers on Sunday, January 29 at 3 PM.
