When the Eagles took the field for practice Saturday afternoon, they were without their starting quarterback.
Jalen Hurts missed Saturday’s session due to illness but is fully expected to play against the Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Hurts’ absence was deemed precautionary as the Eagles hope to avoid spreading the illness throughout the team ahead of a cross-country trip to Seattle.
Josh Sweat also missed Saturday’s defensive practice for a personal reason but is also expected to play Monday night.
While the Eagles should slog and sweat against the Seahawks, they will be without a few key players. CB Darius Slay (knee), LB Zach Cunningham (knee) and Cam Jurgens (pectoral) have been ruled out.
Cornerback Darius Slay has been ruled out of this game after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee earlier in the week. The Eagles hope Slay returns before the end of the regular season and do not plan to place him on injured reserve. The Eagles have some options at cornerback and will have to choose from Kelly Ringo, Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks to replace Slay during his absence.
The Eagles were also without right guard Jurgens (chest) and starting linebacker Cunningham (knee) on Saturday. Both players missed a full week of training.
On Saturday, Jurgens worked on the sideline with the coaches. Without Jurgens, the Eagles will start either veteran Sua Obita or rookie Tyler Steen. Obita was working with the starters during offensive line drills earlier this week. Obita’s experience could play a role in the decision as the Eagles prepare to play in a tumultuous environment in Seattle on Monday night.
Without Cunningham, the Eagles will rely on Nicolas Morrow and Shaq Leonard as their starting linebackers. The only other off-ball backup on the roster is undrafted rookie Ben Van Someren.
Safety Reed Blankenship (concussion) is expected to play against the Seahawks after he was forced out of the Cowboys’ game in the second quarter. The extra day should help him finish the protocol. Blankenship was already a full participant in Friday’s practice.
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